§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Food whether he has recently received 919W from the Scottish Federation of Master Grocers detailed tables showing the conditions under which Scottish retailers are selling bacon at the present time; whether a reply was sent to the effect that the existing system accorded a fair profit; whether he is aware that in many cases Scottish retailers are compelled to sell this commodity at a loss and in other cases under conditions which penalise the poorer consumers in different localities, and that this is the cause of widespread dissatisfaction among retailers and their customers; and whether, having regard to these facts, he will accept the detailed evidence submitted by the Federation and fix a fair price for this article?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The tables in question are being examined and a reply was recently sent to the Federation to the effect that so far as the investigation had then proceeded the existing system appeared to afford a fair profit to Scottish retailers. The investigation has now been practically completed, and I propose to send an official to Scotland at an early date in order that he may discuss the situation in the light of its results.