7. Colonel NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the present total weekly consumption in carcases of Colonial meat as compared with a corresponding week in 1913–14; whether he has been able to arrive at the probable increase in the consumption of Colonial meat if the price was reduced to the pre-War figure; and would such increased consumption be warranted by the supply of meat in store, or on board ship, or awaiting shipment to this country?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANFigures of the pre-War weekly consumption of Colonial meat are not available to enable the comparison asked for to be made. The increase of consumption which might result from a reduction in price is a matter of conjecture; the supply would fully warrant an increased consumption. The whole matter is engaging the attention of a Committee of the Cabinet.
8. Colonel NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a decision that the taxpayer of this country shall be allowed to cut his loss, and that the glut of Colonial meat now in store be offered for sole at pre-War prices rests with the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Food, or the Treasury, or has the matter to be referred to the Cabinet for final decision?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe position as regards imported meat is being carefully examined by the Departments mentioned and also by the Cabinet.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Ministry of Food, the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Shipping.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre any steps taken to inquire who is responsible for the administration which causes these things, or is it simply taken as read?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe War is mainly responsible for many of these things.
§ Mr. BILLINGBut the War has been over for nearly two years!
Col. NEWMANHas the hon. Gentleman seen a report in the newspapers that Colonial frozen meat is to be released at once for consumption?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, I have not seen that report.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs it not a fact that the Government has been profiteering in meat?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, Sir.