§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Food Controller if he will give the c.i.f. cost to the Ministry of Food per tin of No. 1and No. 2 grade of 1 lb. tall salmon; whether the gross profit made between that price and the fixed retail price is equal to the total previous selling retail price of 6½d. and 4½d. per tin, respectively; whether he is aware that the fixing of supplies according to a datum period has the effect of preventing any discharged soldier from starting in business dealing in supplies of goods so fixed, and the continuance of registration of customers for the supply of sugar, meat, jam, and butter has the same effect; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. ROBERTSThe estimated c.i.f. cost of tinned salmon to the Ministry of Food is £2 17s. 10d. per case for Grade 1 tall salmon, and £2 0s. 8d. for Grade 2 tall salmon. To these prices must be added 3s. 3d. per case to cover insurance, interest on capital and landing charges. The gross profit on Grade 1 is 19s. per case, or 4¾d. per tin; and on Grade 2, 13s. 5¼d. per case, or 3¼d. per tin. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The regulations issued to food control committees provide for the difficulties mentioned by the hon. Member. As soon as a discharged soldier has received from the Ministry of National Service a licence to open a business, his old customers may be transferred to him; he may also canvass for customers without restriction and may in addition sell goods to unregistered customers for a month after the date of opening a business. Buying permits are issued in such cases, not on the basis of a datum period, but on the number of registered customers, together with a margin of 50 per cent. to meet additional demands. This procedure has been designed to enable discharged soldiers to open and carry on businesses as going concerns.