§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Food whether fruit retailers must exhibit for sale stocks of imported fruits, the basis of allocation of which has been determined by his Department; in what circumstances they may refuse to sell to the general public; and what action should be taken 100W by one of his local food officers to whom a breach of the regulations has been reported.
§ Mr. StracheyThe law does not compel fruit retailers to display their stocks or to make a sale to anyone if they do not wish to do so. Except in the case of bananas, which are liable to deteriorate if exposed to the cold, all fruit retailers have, however, been asked to exhibit their stocks, and in the case of fruits for which ration books have to be marked, they are expected to serve anyone presenting an unmarked ration book during the first five days of distribution. A retailer who persistently disregards the Ministry's wishes can, of course, have his allocations suspended. Local food officers are required to report to the Ministry any instances of the kind which come to their notice.