asked the Minister of Food if he will publish a list of manufacturing and commercial activities in connection with the preparation, processing, and distribution of food and edible products from which new entrants are excluded by reason of allocations of materials, rights to trade, or supplies being dependent upon performance at some date in the past.

So long as foods are scarce most of the activities in connection with their processing and distribution are dependent upon some form of datum allocation of past performance; but a number of modifications have been introduced to meet various special circumstances. I am afraid that the labour involved in providing a complete list of all the trades concerned could not be justified.

Does the Minister realise that her reply constitutes a testimonial to vested interests?

No, Sir.