§ Sir J. Lucasasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will reopen discussions on the distribution scheme of kippers; and, as the curers are obtaining an additional 6d. to 8d. per stone by selling direct to retailers thereby causing unequal distribution, will he issue instructions that the curers may only sell directly to wholesalers?
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§ Mr. MabaneMy Noble Friend has from time to time considered proposals for regulating the distribution of kippers and discussions have taken place with representatives of the Trade. He considers that the advantage to consumers from the adoption of a kipper distribution scheme would not justify the costly and complicated control arrangements involved and he sees no useful purpose in re-opening discussions at the present time. As regards the second part of the Question, some part of the curers' trade has always been direct to retailers and this was taken into account in fixing trade margins. To alter this arrangement would not improve distribution.