§ 72. Mr. KENNEDYasked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of bacon has recently been landed in Liverpool in excess of the now regulated demand; how much of this has been lost or allowed to become: unfit for human food, and what steps are being taken in. the matter?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have been asked to reply. In regulating the demand by fixing the bacon rations it was necessary to consider not only the present rate of importation, but the anticipated rates of the next few months. As is stated in answer to the hon. Member for Longford last Saturday, it is necessary now to place in store as much bacon as is not needed for immediate consumption, so as to cover the requirements of the summer period during which importation is diminished. I am not aware that any bacon has been lost or allowed to become unfit for human food.
§ Mr. KENNEDYCan the hon. Gentle-man say whether any of this bacon has been allowed to go through to Ireland, where it used formerly entirely to go?
§ Mr. CLYNESI should require notice of that question. I could not say whether any recently imported bacon has again found its way to Ireland.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYWill the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Food Controller, now that there is a surplus of American and 217 Canadian bacon in Liverpool and throughout England, that he should take off the restrictions and allow some to be sent to Ireland, and, vice vers â, send from Ireland hams that the people in Great Britain want, and, indeed, take off these restrictions altogether?
§ Mr. CLYNESThere is only a surplus in the sense that it will be required in the months when we cannot continue to import it. So far as I know, Ireland will have its opportunity of sharing in these quantities like any other part of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYDoes not the hon. Gentleman consider that these restrictions are an abuse upon trade in general?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo, Sir; they serve a very useful purpose indeed. We imposed restrictions on the exportation of bacon from Ireland which Ireland wanted. If Ireland now wishes to secure some of the quantities received from foreign countries, that is a matter for arrangement.
§ Mr. O'SHEEAre there at present cargoes of bacon at Liverpool which are not allowed to be discharged?
§ Mr. CLYNESI hope there may be, but I am not quite certain of it. Every step is taken consistent with the available labour and opportunity of discharge to get the bacon out of the boats as quickly as possible into cold storage.
§ Mr. O'SHEEHas the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement made by a leading official of the Docker's Union calling attention to undischarged cargoes of bacon at Bristol and Liverpool?
§ Mr. CLYNESYes; and if the hon. Member sees the papers this evening he may see some answer to the statement.