Mr. David Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the allegation that upon the date of the broadcast of the Minister of Food at 9 p.m., announcing the introduction of the tea ration, this information had been given that afternoon from certain multiple shops; and whether he will make inquiries into the same?
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§ Mr. BoothbyIn order that primary distributors of tea should be aware of the scheme of rationing proposed, a confidential circular was sent out timed to reach them on the morning of 8th July, the day on which my Noble Friend made his broadcast announcement to the public at 9 p.m. Primary distributors, of whom there are 300 in number, were specially instructed that the information in the circular must not be given to any customer before the morning of 9th July. It is feared that one of these distributors did not comply with this instruction. I am endeavouring to discover by whom the disclosure was made and, will take all possible steps to see that such a breach is not repeated.