HC Deb 24 April 1917 vol 92 cc2206-7
28. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a message-was recently received by the Farmers Association Merchants' Guild, Svend-borg, from Messrs. Kearley and Tonge asking them not to consign goods owing to the slowness of the markets; and whether, in view of the present food situation, such action on the part of private firms is taken after consultation with the Food Controller?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)

I am informed that on the 5th April the firm in question received a cable from the Danish Association to the effect that considerable quantities of butter had been shipped, and would reach them in a few days. As the immediate requirements of the firm were more than satisfied by these consignments, an answering cable was sent, asking the association to defer shipping further consignments until the demand became more brisk. The Food Controller was not consulted in the matter.

Mr. ANDERSON

Would it not be wise for the Government itself, seeing that butter is very short, to take advantage of offers of that kind, and not leave it to private firms, which are concerned only for their profits?

Captain BATHURST

It is desirable to maintain a regular supply of all essential commodities. It so happens that there has been rather an abnormal amount of butter imported into the country recently, and, of course, butter is a perishable commodity.

Mr. HOGGE

Who are Messrs. Kearley and Tonge?

Captain BATHURST

If the insinuation is that the Food Controller is in direct control over the operations of this firm I wish to take this opportunity of saying that is not the fact.

Mr. KING

Has he no interest, financial or otherwise, in the firm of Kearley and Tonge? That is the real point we want to know.

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