§ Wing-Commander Grant-Ferrisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in the winter time and in preparation for next year, he will investigate the high prices paid in 1942 in urban areas for vegetables such as lettuces and cabbages as against the returns made to the producer; and whether he will analyse why a lettuce costs 8d. to 1s. in London, whereas no buyer would give the grower ½d. each on rail?
§ Mr. MabaneIt is hoped shortly to publish an Order, to take effect during the present winter, prescribing maximum prices for cabbage and other crops which together provide the main bulk of our green vegetable supplies. This Order will not include prices for lettuce, but its operation will be studied with a view to deciding whether or not a similar Order for lettuce is desirable and practicable. The difficulty about comparing growers' returns and retail prices for lettuce is that the prices in the wholesale markets fluctuate considerably over short periods of time and vary widely in accordance with the wide range of quality and condition. I cannot accept the suggestion which appears to be implicit in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question that growers commonly receive ½d. f.o.r. for lettuce sold by retail at 8d. or more. My information is that the normal practice is for such produce to be consigned by the grower for sale at the wholesale markets on a commission basis, except in so far as it is sold, by growers direct to retailers. I could not agree that the prices mentioned by my hon. and gallant 529W Friend represent the average spread throughout the season between the net return to the grower and the price to the consumer.