§ 75. Mr. SITCHasked the Food Controller if his attention has been drawn to a Report presented to the Cardiff Health Committee on the 17th instant, stating that 51 tons of oranges and 16 tons of onions had been destroyed as unfit for food, the consignees of the same preferring the goods to get into that condition rather than sell them at the prices offered; that it was officially reported at the same meeting that consignments of goods had been held up at the docks for three years, that they could not be distributed in the district, and were ultimately sent to Germany; whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into these statements; and, if found correct, will he order that proceedings be taken according to the Law against the firm that allowed the oranges and onions 604 above-mentioned to become unfit for human consumption?
§ Mr. PARKERThe Report in question has not yet been received by the Food Controller, but as a result of statements which have appeared in the Press inquiries have already been instituted into the matter. The Food Controller is informed that though certain quantities of fruit which have arrived in Cardiff in a damaged condition have from time to time been destroyed for that reason, there is no ground for the suggestion that fruit or onions have been held up in order that enhanced prices might be secured. A further and more detailed report will be received in the course of a few days dealing with the whole matter and will be communicated to the hon. Member, who may rest assured that proceedings will be taken in any case where food appears to have been deliberately wasted.