Mr. De la Bèreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will look into the case of Mr. V. H. Wise, of Overbury Poultry Farm, near Tewkesbury, whose egg-packer's licence, No. 552, together with many others 2179W similarly situated is in jeopardy owing to a proposed action by the Ministry of Food; what compensation is going to be given in such cases, and whether he will make every endeavour to refrain from discriminating against small men throughout the industry?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe Ministry of Food has been considering, in conjunction with the national organisation representing packers, the steps which should be taken at the present time to achieve the utmost possible economy in the use of transport, petrol and man-power. Schemes of economy have been prepared for each area, and most of these schemes involve the closing down of a number of redundant packing stations. Arrangements are being considered by the packers whereby the redundant packers will be compensated from a fund contributed to by the packers remaining in business. I can assure my hon. Friend that under these economy schemes no discrimination is being made against the small man, the sole test being whether the packing station in question is necessary, having regard to the needs of the area and the necessity for achieving the utmost possible economy.