asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Burnley area received only £8,000 worth of meat per week for a population of 176,000, while nearby areas have received in comparison twice the amount, namely, £2,000 worth for a population of less than 25,000; can he give any reason for this; and will he see that the area receives more adequate and better quality supplies?

The aggregate value of the buying permits of the butchers in the Burnley area is £8,737; that of the butchers in the neighbouring area of Rawtenstall and Bacup is £3,300. The meat purchased by butchers in these areas in the three weeks ended 29th March averaged £6,682 and £2,272 respectively per week. The butchers' permits are based upon their registrations; their purchases are based upon the demands made upon them within the limit of their permits. The population of a district does not necessarily determine the butchers' registrations in that district since the public often purchase in districts other than that in which they reside. I can assure the hon. Member that the Burnley area is being treated fairly in regard to both the quantity or quality of the meat with which it is supplied.