69. Mr. C. WASONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that butchers' meat exposed to all atmospheric conditions and continually picked over is continually exposed for sale and at a relatively high price; and, in view of the fact that meat so exposed cannot be wholesome, will he give the matter his consideration with a view to improving the conditions under which meat is offered?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt has always been the custom in this country for meat to be exposed for sale in open shops. The Food Controller is considering, in consultation with the Local Government Board and with the trade, whether any modification of this practice could be usefully adopted.
§ 70. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the results that have arisen in the meat trade through the refusal of the Board of Trade to permit the men employed in the meat and cold storage trades to be represented in the Department which controls imported meat; that Sir Thomas Robinson has never consulted a single Labour representative connected with the markets or Port of London concerning the disposal of imported meat; that he is interested in meat and shipping; that his administration of meat importation has resulted in large profits for meat profiteers; and whether he will demand powers to overhaul the administration of Sir Thomas Robinson?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Roberts)My hon. Friend has requested me to answer this question. In all matters concerned with the importation and distribution of meat purchased by the Board of Trade Sir Thomas Robinson acts under the instructions of that Department. In reply to the other points in the question I have to refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the Departmental Committee on Prices and to the answers which have been given in this House to numerous similar questions. I should be pleased to meet my hon. Friend and representatives of the men employed in the meat and cold storage trades in order to hear their representations on this subject.