HC Deb 26 September 1939 vol 351 cc1215-6
76. Mr. Ammon

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will consider the reopening of Smithfield meat market?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I consider the public interest is best served by the present scheme of decentralisation.

Mr. Ammon

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that practically the same conditions obtain in regard to meat as obtained with regard to fish, and that there is waste and inadequacy, and that good food is being wasted?

Mr. Morrison

My inquiries do not bear that out at all. At the start of the scheme there were, as was inevitable, some difficulties until those in charge of the .depots got to know the peculiar conditions under which they worked. I am satisfied that now the scheme is working satisfactorily. Where there has been a shortage of meat, it has arisen from causes quite different from this scheme to which reference has been made, such as the big demand for the Army, and so on.

Mr. Ammon

Where has the right hon. Gentleman made his inquiries in regard to the amount of meat that is being wasted as a result of its being taken out of cold storage and not distributed?

Mr. Morrison

I made inquiries through the channels open to me. If the hon. Gentleman has any case of that kind, I hope he will bring it to my notice so as to assist me in my duty of trying to avoid waste of any kind.

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