§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Food whether he will look into the case, particulars of which are given, where officials had transferred to them the rights of a dispossessed nurseryman, Mr. Peach, including his retail food licence, and employed German prisoners of war to produce, and members of the W.L.A. to sell, tomatoes by retail at a stall adjoining the highway which was the livelihood of the dispossessed proprietor; and why his officials refused to allow the dispossessed proprietor to purchase produce from his own holding to re-sell by retail in his normal way of business.
§ Mr. StracheySince the Tomato Distribution Scheme was discontinued on 5th September, Mr. Peach has been free to purchase tomatoes from any supplier able and willing to supply him. The position before that date was fully explained in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 31st July last, and in the letter sent to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on 6th September. Any question as to the circumstances in which, in 1941, Mr. Peach was dispossessed of his property under the Defence Regulations and on the administration of the property since that date should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.