§ 72. Mr. GILBERTasked if there are in Falmouth Docks 6,000 tons of wheat, a great part of which has been allowed to go bad; whether he can state how long this wheat has been in stock, and why it has not been used for food; whether there is a stock of coffee in the same docks which is mostly unfit for use; and, if so, can he explain who is to blame for this result?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt is undesirable to publish information as to stocks of foodstuffs in a particular port at any given time, but as the question suggests loss from negligence, I may say that there are not 6,000 tons of wheat in Falmouth Docks. The only wheat recently discharged at this port consisted of 3,500 tons from a sailing vessel; the whole of the cargo was sold to millers, and delivery has been completed except as regards a few hundred tons which have been held up through lack of transport facilities. None of the wheat has been allowed to deteriorate through want of care. I am informed that there is no coffee lying in Falmouth Docks.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECan the hon. Gentleman say how long that 3,300 tons of wheat has been lying at Falmouth Docks?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs the answer indicates, it was loaded to the millers as soon as possible after arrival.