39. Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller why he did permit the publication, in the "National Food Journal" for 11th December, of a misleading statement by Mr. Hoover, indicating that the Allied purchases of bacon were on the same basis as that of American consumers, namely, a controlled live-weight price for hogs of 17.50 dollars, or 8¾per lb.; whether a further misleading statement is contained in the same article indicating that Chicago packers' profits are limited to ⅓d per lb., instead of which the actual profits of the packers are not less than 4d. or 5d. per lb. on every ounce of bacon shipped to England; and whether he will appoint a Committee to investigate the transactions of all persons connected with the American purchasers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)The memorandum to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was published in the "National Food Journal" as in other newspapers. I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of any statement which it contains. The matters referred to in the last part of the question will no doubt be considered by the Interdepartmental Committee being set up by the President of the Board of Trade.