HC Deb 07 June 1921 vol 142 cc1689-91
64. Mr. LEONARD LYLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the failure to sell the supplies it holds of corned beef, chicken broth, Worcester sauce, and orange marmalade; whether these sole surviving articles of surplus food are deteriorating; and whether, if the Department cannot get rid of them wholesale, it would try to dispose of them in small quantities?

Mr. YOUNG

I have been asked to answer this question. The marmalade

to maintain publicity departments; what exactly do they do; and what do they cost?

Mr. YOUNG

As the particulars are in tabular form, perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars:

has all been sold. The failure to sell the preserved meat and chicken broth is accounted for by the general slump in the tinned goods trade, and the Worcester sauce is put up in a bottle not usual for civilian trade. The stores in question are in good storage accommodation and there is no reason to suppose that they are deteriorating. Opportunities are taken to sell Worcester sauce and chicken broth in small lots, but it is not advisable to sell preserved meat in this way owing to the possibility of the presence of defective tins.

Mr. HAYDAY

Would it not be as well if the Department was to send some of these supplies to the various centres for feeding children rather than that they should be stored?

Mr. YOUNG

I very much doubt if these are suitable articles of diet.

Mr. GIDEON MURRAY

What is the value of these articles'?

Mr. YOUNG

I could not fix the value of any particular article without notice.