§ 94. Major BARKERasked the Minister of Food what weight of bacon has been destroyed or has been sold to soap makers during the last 12 months ending 20th April; and why this bacon was not disposed of to the consuming public before it became unfit for food?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am glad to have this opportunity of explaining the matter.
I regret that the Ministry of Food have no records which would give the weight of bacon destroyed or sold to soap makers during the twelve months ending 20th April, as in the early part of the period importation was in trade hands.
As regards any bacon which was condemned or sold to soapboilers subsequent to the resumption of control, I would point out that this bacon was imported on private account. I understand that in normal times, that is to say, under the most favourable transport conditions from the packing house abroad to the consumer in this country, a certain percentage of bacon always becomes unfit for food and is consequently either 1041 destroyed or sold to soapboilers. In the absence of comparative figures it is not possible to say how last year compared with normal years in this respect. I may add that out of approximately 500,000 boxes which have been landed in this country on behalf of the Ministry of Food since the resumption of control, not one has arrived in such a condition as to be or to become unfit for food.