§ Mr. Mathersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken to make tomatoes available for retail purchase in Scotland, seeing they have become almost unobtainable since the price was controlled, retailers declaring that growers are withholding the crop for canning as controlled price allowed is unremunerative; whether the higher quality of Scottish tomatoes and higher costs of production were taken into account when the controlled price was fixed; and whether efforts will be made to secure agreement with Scottish producers?s
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe effect of the Home Grown Tomatoes (Maximum Prices) Order and the reduction of retail price has been greatly to increase the demand and, though supplies are increasing, they are not yet sufficient to meet the new demand. There is consequently a larger number both of satisfied and unsatisfied retailers and consumers and complaints are naturally to be expected. I know of no evidence, however, to justify my hon. Friend's statement that tomatoes have1520W become almost unobtainable since the price was controlled. The sale of tomatoes to canners is prohibited by the Order and any case in which this is believed to be taking place should be reported to the Food Control Office for investigation. As a result of consultations with representatives of the Scottish growers which took place before the Order was made, higher prices have been allowed to Scottish growers than to English growers in order to take account of the factors mentioned in the Question.