Colonel Sir JOHN HOPEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why an Order has been issued that no margarine may be supplied to a retail trader unless he can dispose of 28 lbs. per week; and whether he has considered that such an Order will inflict great injury on the trade of small grocers in country districts who have less than 112 regular customers, and will prevent the inhabitants of country districts from procuring margarine unless they can arrange to have it delivered from distant towns?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo Order to this effect has been issued by the, Food Controller,996W though, in order to economise transport and to obviate the difficulty of sub-dividing wholesale consignments of margarine, instructions were given to local food control committees that it might be advisable to limit registration to traders able to dispose of the quantity referred to. Committees were, however, permitted to use their discretion with regard to the registration of smaller retailers, and, in view of the representations which have been made on the matter, an instruction that such retailers should be registered has been approved, and will be issued immediately.