§ Mr. Silvermanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why shopkeepers who have always sold dried fruits and other such goods are to be denied any share of the distribution of such goods under the point rationing scheme unless they also sell sugar?
Major Lloyd GeorgeDried fruits are not included in the point rationing scheme. The basis for distributing supplies of these goods to retailers has, however, been recently revised so that they will get supplies according to the number of customers registered with them for sugar. I am satisfied that this revision is necessary in order to secure an equitable distribution to consumers. The possibility of distributing some dried fruit 345W through those retailers who have been adversely affected by the revision of distribution is under consideration, but the uncertainty of the supply position and other factors will make it impossible for me to make any further statement until after the end of next month.