36. Colonel THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as 302 quarters of beef were rejected by Messrs. Perfect's inspectors as unsuitable for the Army in April and 953 in May, he will state whether these were handed over to his Department; if so, under what conditions were they disposed of; and whether the public are compelled to pay maximum controlled prices for these goods?
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)I am informed that in April 98 quarters and in May 191 quarters of beef were transferred by the Board of Trade from Army stocks to the Ministry of Food. This meat was in sound condition, and its transfer was due to the fact that it was in excess of Army requirements. It was disposed of under the same conditions and through the same channels as all other meat dealt with by the Ministry of Food.
37. Colonel THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the institution of a flat rate for wholesale meat sales has resulted in a reduction of beef, mutton, and lamb prices to the West End consumer and increased them in an almost exact proportion to the West Ham consumers; and that, at the worst of unregulated competition prices in June, 1917, there were large quantities of frozen forequarter meat obtained for the East End at about 9½d. per lb., and a certain quantity of frozen mutton at about 10d. per lb. and less, while a considerable amount of frozen cow beef at even less prices was available; and whether a small Committee can be appointed to investigate the economic effect of the various food Regulations as affecting the poorer districts of the town and cities?
§ Mr. PARKERA uniform scale of meat prices is an essential condition of any national rationing scheme. It has, no doubt, to some extent the effect indicated in the question, but, as against this, must be set the fact that the frozen forequarters and cow beef referred to are now divided equally between West Ham and the West End in the same manner as the best home-killed meat. It would not, therefore, appear necessary to act upon the suggestion made by the hon. Member in the third part of the question.