HC Deb 18 November 1942 vol 385 cc366-8W
Mr. Brooke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that through the Ministry ignoring points collected by retailers for sales of sweets during the first rationing period, at the end of which only the less saleable lines were left to small retailers so that they could acquire few points by sales during the next period, many of these small retailers now find themselves in serious straits for lack of stock; and how it is now proposed to stop discriminating against these small retailers who adhered to the Ministry's scheme and did not hold back in reserve larger stocks before the beginning of rationing than they were instructed to do?

Mr. Mabane

There has been no discrimination between large and small retailers. On the contrary, orders were issued requiring all manufacturers and wholesalers to distribute all their supplies over the period from 1st June to 17th October, 1942, in proportion to the amounts delivered to their customers since 1st January, 1942. Retailers were required to retain until the commencement of rationing, on 26th July, stocks specially marked as reserve stocks, representing 25 per cent. of the deliveries in the period 1st June to 26th July. All practicable steps were therefore taken to secure that retailers of all kinds would at the commencement of rationing have equitable. shares of the total stocks. Moreover, for the first 12 weeks of rationing, supplies continued to be available to all retailers on the same basis as previously, and without the necessity for presenting points. Certain retailers held back considerably more stocks than they had been instructed to do, with a view to making a special display in the early weeks of rationing, and so securing an unfair advantage over others who observed the Ministry's instructions. The broad effect of basing the issue of ration documents on the periods subsequent to the first period of rationing was rightly to counteract such action. As will be seen, retailers continued to receive supplies during the second and third periods irrespective of the number of points collected, and these points were available to secure the flow of supplies thereafter. In fact, as I recently stated, the information available indicates that small retail confectioners as a whole are fully maintaining the share of total sales they previously enjoyed.

Mr. Brooke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the cutting out of coupons would be accepted by retailers of confectionery as necessary if they were able thereby to replenish stock to the total value of points surrendered, but as in practice suppliers are still restricting retailer's supplies to a proportion of his purchases in a basic period, the cutting out of coupons at present wastes time and labour; and will he now put an end to this waste, treat personal points coupons in the same way as soap coupons and instruct retailers to cancel them on the sheets instead of cutting them out?

Mr. Mabane

The demand for chocolates and sweets is much greater than the supply. The cutting out of coupons, and the replenishment of stocks only in exchange for ration documents, are essential therefore; first to secure that sales shall only be made in exchange for coupons, and secondly to secure that the restricted supplies shall flow to the points where they are required by the consumer. The industry in general are in fact seeking to distribute their supplies to retailers in proportion to earlier distributions. This is with a view to securing as far as possible that equitable distribution amongst different types of retailers which it would appear from the previous Question my hon. Friend would desire. Such supplies can, however, only be made in so far as retailers can offer points in exchange. In so far as retailers cannot do this, the balance of supplies must go to other retailers who have taken points in excess of their previous share of trade. Total supplies, after allowance for a reasonable margin of stock, are no more than sufficient to meet total legal demand. It follows that the distribution of supplies must gradually become adjusted to the demand. Retailers have been left with a certain margin of points in hand. This was at the urgent request of the trade, so as to cover the necessary time lag between the placing of orders and the receipt of goods. The most important thing clearly was to avoid any breakdown in distribution. Adequate machinery exists to secure that any retailers' reasonable requirements shall be met.