§ 35. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that in an East End borough during one week bacon to the approximate value of £60,000 has been condemned; whether this was due to the delay in dealing with it on arrival and to the prices demanded; and, if so, what action is contemplated to put a stop to this waste?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given last Monday on behalf of the Food Controller to the hon. Member for Derby.
§ 40. Major NEWMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the weight of bacon which was condemned by the Metropolitan borough councils during May and part of June as unfit for human consumption amounted to nearly 9,000 cwt.; and has his Department taken any steps to prevent a repetition of this loss of meat by taking over or extending the cold storage accommodation available?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The circumstances leading to the condemnation of the bacon in question have already been explained in an answer given to the hon. Member for Derby on 2nd July. The whole of the bacon in question was either Danish or Dutch, and the fact that both these varieties are mild-cured, renders 1579 them unsuitable for cold storage. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ 41. Mr. HOLTasked whether there have been any cages recently of bacon or similar foodstuffs going bad owing to inability to find proper storage or them; and, if so, whether private persons who have suitable storage will be encouraged to lay in stocks of such articles of food, thereby enabling the stocks of food held in this country to be increased?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not aware that any bacon or similar foodstuffs have recently gone bad for lack of proper storage. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.