§ Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that supplies of subsidised EEC butter will be available to independent grocers in sufficient quantity and at prices which will allow their clients, especially in areas of high social need, to benefit from the concession.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThis butter is being allocated to the trade in proportion to its normal market share. It is for the trade itself to arrange sales and distribution to retailers. I am sure it will be fair in dealing with its own customers. A maximum retail price of 44p per 250g has been fixed for this butter. While prices will vary according to the varying costs involved in selling to different shops and in different parts of the country, I expect that consumers would generally be able to obtain this butter at prices significantly below those for normal butter supplies in the recent past.