Sir J. HOPEasked the Food Controller when it will be possible to again allow farmers to sell meat direct to butchers and so save to the consumer the 11s. 4d. per cwt. in the case of cattle and the 1s. 8d. per completed 10s. of mutton value in the case of sheep which are now added by him to the price paid to feeders?
Mr. ROBERTSIt will not be possible, owing to the necessity of regulating distribution, to allow farmers to sell meat direct to butchers until supplies of home-grown and imported meat are equivalent to the anticipated demand from all sources. It is evident that some charge to cover costs of distribution will be necessary during the continuance of control, but it is hoped that some reduction may be possible in the near future.