HC Deb 14 November 1916 vol 87 cc592-3
117. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for shipping 6,000 tons of rabbits from Australia to arrive here in April, May, and June when there is practically no trade whatever for them, when at the same time the New Zealand refrigerators were full of sheep and lambs awaiting shipment; and whether he will state the number of sheep and lambs in the refrigerators of New Zealand on 1st January, 1st February, 1st March, and 1st April of this year, respectively?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have always been anxious to encourage the trade in frozen rabbits, as they constitute an acceptable food for the poorer classes of the population of the United Kingdom. The possibility of diverting Australian ships to New Zealand is dependent upon a variety of circumstances, all of which have to be taken into consideration. I am not able to give the exact statistics which my hon. Friend desires, but the following figures, showing the mutton and lamb in store in New Zealand, may be sufficient for his purpose, namely:—

Tons.
On 8th January, 1916 … 14,143
On 29th January, 1916 … 22,801
On 26th February, 1916 … 33,030
On 1st April, 1916 … 45,814

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that this accumulation of old stocks has since been cleared away.

Mr. RAFFAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether fresh rabbits would not be as good as frozen rabbits, and, if so, whether he will remove the restrictions imposed by the Game Laws?