§ 32. Mr. WATTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the case of a ship arriving in Glasgow harbour recently where there were 32 cases of apples in the ship's stores which could be done without, where the apples were sent to a shop in that city to be sold, but were stopped by his Department and sent back to New York; and, if so, will he say whether such action has the sanction of his Department?
Sir A. STANLEYMy hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed that these apples were not discharged until eleven days after the ship's arrival Some of them had been delivered to the fruit salesman without authority, and when the irregu- 8 larity was discovered they were immediately ordered back to the custody of the Customs Officers pending disposal in the manner required by law. Owing to some misunderstanding, the origin of which has not yet been ascertained, the apples were put on board ship again, and the ship sailed the next day.
§ 76. Mr. WATTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether his Department has yet made any provision for bringing over from America, when suitable vacant cargo space can be found, a supply of apples, in view of the fact that these are a substantial food of the people; and that the fruit trade, both wholesale and retail, has suffered severely by the War?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Nottingham on the 22nd October last. Under present conditions apples could only be carried as a result of a deliberate decision to exclude other classes of cargo which are held to be more urgently required.