§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the margin to be allowed to retail butchers for costs and remuneration under the control scheme; and whether it is an agreed basis between the Ministry of Food and the trade?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe margin at present allowed to retail butchers for costs and remuneration under the control scheme represents approximately 23½ per cent. of the selling price of the side or carcase taken as a whole. It was fixed on the basis of a costings investigation into a number of representative retail' butchers' businesses during the pre-war period and after consultation with the retail trade organisations, including the co-operative movement. The margin is provisional and is subject to review upwards or downwards in the light of actual experience of the operation of the scheme.
§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the 591W number of retailers engaged in the meat trade and registered under the control scheme in Great Britain?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe figures asked for by the hon. Member are not available without reference to the records of local Food Offices, and the work involved in extracting this information at the present time would necessitate the employment of additional staff. I hope that later on it may be possible to obtain the information without incurring extra expenditure.
§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the estimated quantity of home-killed and imported meat, respectively, consumed on an average per week in Great Britain; and how much it is estimated to be when rationing becomes operative?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe average weekly quantity of home-killed and imported meat consumed by civilians in Great Britain is estimated to be 20,000 tons and 16,000 tons respectively. The quantity which will be consumed when rationing becomes operative will depend upon the supply situation at that time.
§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what number of wholesalers engaged in the meat trade are organised in the National Association of Wholesale Meat Traders;
(2) what is the agreed basis upon which costs and remuneration of wholesalers engaged in the meat trade is to be met under the control scheme?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe wholesale distribution of meat, both home-killed and imported, is effected through not one national association, but through eight area wholesale meat supply associations. The final number of wholesalers who have been organised in these eight associations is not yet known since seven associations have outstanding for further consideration a number of applications for membership, but on present indications it is likely to be about 900.
The basis on which the costs and remuneration of these associations are to be made is a commission basis. Rates of commission will operate for a provisional period of three months from 15th January when control was introduced and will be fixed for subsequent periods after 592W costing investigations. The amount available out of the commission for the members of the association will be distributed to them having regard to their peace-time turnover.