§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, why it is not possible to purchase jellies 504W in the ordinary shops, whereas sweets made of the same ingredients are on sale; why marrowfat peas are not to be got in shops which usually sell them but can be bought in open markets when they are soaked; and why raisins are not on sale in shops when they are sold in packets with a slight covering of chocolate at exorbitant prices?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI assume that by jellies is meant table jellies. If so, I would remind my hon. Friend that table jellies are made primarily from gelatine while the sweets which he has in mind have starch as their basic ingredient. As regards the second part of the Question all marrowfat peas are in very short supply, and I should be surprised to learn that any appreciable quantity was on sale, either dry or soaked. If, however, my hon. Friend cares to give me particulars I shall be glad to look into the matter. As regards raisins, the distribution is made throughout on a datum line basis so that manufacturers receive no more than their due proportion of the supplies available. I should be glad to receive from my hon. Friend any information regarding specific instances in which exorbitant prices have been charged.