§ Mr. SMALLWOODasked the Food Controller whether, having regard to the large stocks of tea now in the country and due to arrive shortly and the desirability of removing all unnecessary State control as early as possible, he will make arrangements to withdraw tea from the list of controlled articles at the expiration of the present registration period, namely, on 25th January next?
§ Mr. PARKERIt is impossible to consider tea apart from other articles of food so far as relaxation of control is concerned. The withdrawal of the restriction on the quantities of tea which may be obtained by traders has already been announced. All retailers, catering establishments, and institutions will be allowed to obtain for sale on and after 2nd December 3439W whatever quantity of tea is necessary to meet any reasonable requirements on the part of their customers. It is necessary, however, for the present, to retain the distribution scheme and registration of consumers. Moreover, some control of price to the consumer must be maintained until the operation of supply and demand can safely be trusted to keep prices at a moderately low level.