§ 67. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that in addition to the longer time taken in the voyage from Denmark to British ports at the present time a delay of from five to fourteen days takes place in transferring perishable goods, such as bacon and ham, from these ports to London; that the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited, have been obliged to refuse orders to the Danish Bacon Company because, in addition to the delays above enumerated, it now frequently takes ten days for the goods to arrive at Cardiff from London; whether he is aware that quantities of bacon are being allowed to go bad owing to lack of cold storage accommodation and delays in delivery from the railway stations and quays, and lack of transport facilities; and if he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANOwing to the simultaneous arrival of several vessels from Denmark and the consequent heavy temporary supplies of bacon, there has resulted a certain amount of delay in transit. I have no information on the point raised in the second part of the question, but I am informed that satisfactory steps have been taken to control future deliveries, and it is not expected that any similar delay will recur. I have no reason to believe that any appreciable loss has occurred through the causes mentioned.
§ Mr. PETOAs I have fresh evidence of the great delay that has occurred, will the hon. Gentleman give consideration immediately to the facts I can put before him, showing that other steps than those enumerated are urgently called for?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf my hon. Friend will communicate those facts, I have no doubt that they will have attention at once.