asked the Minister of Food (1) if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the prices of fruit, and vegetables for the purpose of ascertaining the reasons for the wide margin of difference in the price paid to the grower and that paid by the consumer;

(2) what steps he is taking to establish a marketing board for fruit and vegetables before next season in order to regulate the prices of these commodities and ensure the primary producer is adequately paid for his goods and services.

The matters raised come within the operations of the Fruit and Vegetable (Marketing and Distribution) Organisation, the formation of which was recently announced. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the terms of reference of this organisation.

Is the Minister aware that reports have been circulated recently of farmers receiving 3d. each for broccoli, and that the price charged to the consumer was 2s. 6d.? Could she tell us where the other 2s. 3d. goes?

Obviously the difference goes between, and that is what we are inquiring into now.

Will the hon. Lady circulate those terms of reference in the OFFICIAL REPORT, as they are of interest to many of us?

I will certainly consider the suggestion.