§ 58. Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, while lettuces have been selling in London for 5d. or 7d. each, growers have been ploughing them in because the prices offered by wholesalers did not cover the cost of marketing; and what steps are being taken to improve the system of distribution, both from the point of view of the consumer and that of the producer.
§ Dr. SummerskillDuring the past few weeks the average retail price for lettuces in London was about 4d. each for the round and 6d. to 8d. for the cos variety. Small quantities of poor quality lettuces have had to be ploughed back, but this is not unusual at this time of the year. The corresponding growers' prices have been about 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. a dozen for round lettuces and from 2s. 6d. to 5s. for the cos variety, which are not unreasonable for good quality produce. The improvement of the methods of marketing is one of the subjects which has been considered by the Fruit and Vegetables Organisation whose first report has been presented and is now being examined.