Sir J. D. REESasked the Food Controller when full liberty will be granted to the consumer to deal where he pleases for tea and bacon; when restrictions on the sale of these articles of consumption will be removed; and when tea will be sold below a maximum price?
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§ Mr. McCURDYAs regards tea, I can add nothing to the answer made to the hon. Member for South Hackney on 13th February. The de-control of bacon, which will include freedom to the consumer to deal where he pleases, is now being considered; and the Food Controller hopes to be able to make an early announcement on the subject.
§ Sir FREDERICK BANBURYasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the Government sold 86 chests of tea at public auction on the 6th instant at 1s. 8d. per lb.; that they had bought this tea at 7.7755d. per lb. at the port of shipment; and that after paying all charges there was a profit of 10d. or 11d. per lb. to the Government; and when the Government propose to withdraw the Regulation which authorises these transactions?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have no knowledge of the particular parcel of tea to which the hon. Member refers, but I am aware that teas purchased by the Ministry of Food have been sold at public auction for export at the price stated. If the hon. Member will supply the mark and grade of the tea I will have the actual figures in this case ascertained. Any profit accruing to the Government from sales for export is used in reducing the selling price of tea for the benefit of the British consumer. The Ministry of Food will cease to sell tea for export as soon as there is sufficient quantity of tea imported on private account to enable export sales to be resumed.