§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he took, consequent upon the report made to him in the week commencing 44W Monday, 5th September by the hon. Member for West Ham, North concerning excessive prices charged by wholesalers at Stratford Market, East; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyFollowing discussions, which were in progress when my hon. Friend wrote to us, my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State have referred the costs and profit margins of the wholesale and retail fruit and vegetable trades to the National Board for Prices and Incomes. Pending the Board's report, the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades Limited has recommended its members to limit the surcharge to 1d. in the £ where costs cannot be absorbed in accordance with the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why, in view of the Government's policy of wage, prices and dividends freeze, he has agreed to allow the fruit and vegetable wholesalers a 1d. in the £ increase on their handling charges; and what he estimates each wholesaler will receive from this additional surcharge.
§ Mr. HoyMy right hon. Friend has urged all distributors of food, including wholesalers of fresh fruit and vegetables, to do everything possible to absorb increases in costs and thus avoid increases in their charges. Where, however, higher costs such as those due to increased taxation cannot be wholly absorbed, limited increases in charges can be permitted. I cannot answer the second part of the Question since not all wholesalers will find it necessary to increase their charges and the amount received by any wholesaler who does will depend upon his total sales.