§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the shortage of meat, especially in Burnley and other Lancashire towns, what steps he is taking to ensure a fair and equal distribution as between different districts and localities?
Mr. PARKERArrangements are being made by the Food Controller for the distribution of supplies of meat in every district on the basis of the consumption of meat in that district during a normal period.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the difficulties that are caused by the fixing of different maximum prices for meat in different localities; and whether he will now fix uniform prices for the whole country?
Mr. PARKERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The fixing of a scale of maximum retail prices for meat for the whole country is now receiving the consideration of the Food Controller.
§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in order to encourage the production of beef during the coming summer and to enable farmers to make their plans, he will at once withdraw the Order which fixes the price of beef after 1st July next at 60s. per cwt.?
Mr. PARKERThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. There is no Order now in force which fixes the price of beef at 60s. per cwt. after the 1st July, 1918.
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