§ 74. Mr. RAPERasked the Food Controller what is the actual loss made on bad and indifferent dates imported during the last year by the Ministry; how much has been recovered from the merchants who sold them to the Ministry; and what steps are being taken to recover the balance?
Mr. ROBERTSNo loss has been incurred on any dates imported on account of the Ministry of Food. I should say, however, that in February of this year the Ministry agreed to dispose of a quantity of dates purchased on the War Office account, and found, after the Armistice, to be surplus to the requirements of the troops. Owing to the lateness of the season, and the bad condition of some of these dates, it was necessary for them to be sold at varying prices below cost price. It is not yet possible to give the actual loss incurred, but, so far as can at present be estimated, it will amount to approximately —166,000. Of this, —12,000 has been recovered from the sellers, and negotiations are proceeding as to the sellers' liability in respect of certain dates which were rejected as not being up to standard. All steps will be taken to recover from the sellers the amount for which they are legally liable.
§ Mr. ATKEYWas not the original contract part of a joint one between the Food Ministry and the War Office, and is it not a fact that no legal liability attaches to the original seller?
Mr. ROBERTSThe dates of which complaint is made were brought in on War Office account, and not on account of the Ministry of Food. As regards the 240 legal aspect of the matter, my hon. Friend cannot be correct, because we have already recovered —12,000.
Mr. ROBERTSI thought I had made it clear. The War Office had a surplus, and they asked us to take over that surplus and dispose of it to the best advantage. That we did.
Sir F. HALLWhere would be the advantage to the country of any part of the —154,000 shortage being obtained from the War Office by the Food Controller? Is it not waste of time?
Sir F. HALLIs it not a waste of time taking action against another Government Department And putting them down as the seller?