§ Sir E. Cadoganasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken any steps to expedite the distribution of clothing, foodstuffs, and other essential commodities, so as to obviate the danger of enemy action which is incurred when such commodities are stored for any length of time in large warehouses?
§ Mr. LytteltonYes, Sir. The Board of Trade announced in September last that goods controlled by the Limitation of Supplies Orders could without infringement of the Orders be distributed to retailers' premises, provided that ownership of the goods did not pass to the retailers until they could be supplied within the permitted quotas. Following recent losses, I have myself taken special steps to impress upon traders the urgency of distributing and dispersing their stocks with all possible speed. With regard to foodstuffs, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given to the hon. and learned Member for East Cardiff (Mr. Temple Morris) on 15th August last.