§ Mr. GILBERTasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that there is a hortage of butter in certain districts in London, consumers only receiving one ounce from shopkeepers; and can he see his way to release any from storage in order that consumers may obtain their usual rations?
§ Major ASTORThe hon. Member would appear to be under a misapprehension; since 21st October the butter ration throughout the country has been 1 oz. per head per week; the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.
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§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the price of English butter is fixed at 281s. per cwt. as against 245s. per cwt. allowed for Irish butter; is there any reason for supposing that the latter commodity is not equal in every way to English butter; if so, will he say how this can be substantiated; and is it the intention of the Food Ministry to re-sell the Irish butter now bought at 2s. 1½d. per lb. at 2s. 6d.?
§ Major ASTORThe maximum price obtainable for a producer in Great Britain for butter sold in bulk to the Ministry of Food is 240s. 3d. per cwt., while the price paid by the Ministry of Food for Irish butter in bulk is 245s. per cwt. f.o.r. The second and third parts of the question do not therefore arise. With regard to the last part of the question, the Ministry of Food releases all Government butter, including Irish butter purchased by it, at a uniform rate which enables it to be sold at 2s. 6d. per lb. retail; this includes the cost of distribution and the retailers' margin of profit.