HC Deb 22 October 1942 vol 383 cc2119-20W
Mr. Keeling

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that many Middlesex growers who supply tomatoes to the London Tomato Pool receive no payment for several weeks on end and find it difficult to provide money for wages; that the salesmen at Brentford and Covent Garden, who provide the boxes, are expected to refund to shopkeepers deposits paid to the pool, but not passed on to themselves; and whether he will redress these grievances?

Mr. Mabane

In both the cases to which my hon. Friend refers, the delay was due to the large supply of tomatoes of varying quality which were marketed during a short period and the necessity for diverting supplies by the London Tomato Distributing Association to other markets in order to avoid a glut in the London area. These conditions put a heavy strain on this new organisation. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question it is intended to review carefully the results of this year's operations in consultation with representatives of the growers and the trade with a view to making any desirable modifications for next season.