§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of independent retail greengrocers in the United Kingdom; and if he will take steps designed to ensure conditions in which small independent greengrocers can continue to flourish.
§ Mr. MoyleThe latest available figures given by provisional information from the 1971 Census of Distribution for Great Britain together with information from the 1965 Census of Distribution for Northern Ireland suggest a total in the United Kingdom of around 23,000 shops belonging to independent greengrocers and fruiterers, including those selling fish. Independents are defined as traders with fewer than 10 shops.
I have no reason to believe that any special measures are necessary to enable small independent greengrocers to continue to fulfil their useful distributive function. Their access to supplies has been improved as a result of the programme of redevelopment of major wholesale horticultural markets for which grant has been provided by my Department.