HC Deb 03 April 1940 vol 359 cc159-60
37. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Food whether the standardisation and control of sausages respecting price and meat content is confined to foodstuffs sold as sausages; whether this will apply to all foodstuffs of a similar nature; whether an obligation rests on the seller to indicate the kind of meat utilised; what steps will be taken and what penalties exist respecting infringements; and whether he will take similar action respecting potted meats and similar foodstuffs?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The provisions of the Sausages (Maximum Prices) Order, 1940, to which the hon. Member refers, apply to sausage meat as well as to pork and beef sausages but not to other foodstuffs of a similar nature. The Order does not require the seller to indicate the kind of meat utilised in the manufacture

Average Prices of Eggs at Leicester.
Prices per dozen.
Description. Wholesale. Retail.
First week of March. Second week of March. First week of March. Second week of March.
1940. 1939. 1940. 1939. 1940. 1939. 1940. 1939.
English.
N.M. Standards (15½lbs. per 120). 2s. 0d. 1s. 0d. 1s. 8d. 1s. 0d. 2s. 6d. 1s. 2d. 2s. 0d. 1s. 2d.
to to to to to to to
2s. 6d. 1s. 2d. 1s. 9d. 2s. 9d. 1s. 4d. 2s. 6d. 1s. 4d.
Danish.
15½ lbs. per 120 1s. 10d. 9½d. 1s. 10d. 9½d. 2s. 0d. 1s. 0d. 1s. 10d. 1s. 0d.
to to to to
10d. 10d. 2s. 3d. 2s. 0d.
The bulk of eggs sold on the market at Leicester are Home Produced. Imported eggs other than Danish have been quoted from time to time but are not a regular trade; prices, therefore, for these other types and grades of eggs are not comparable in the two years.

of the sausages or sausage meat to which it relates. The usual steps will be taken respecting infringements of the Order, for which there are heavy penalties.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that he is now giving us information which we already possess; and will he answer the latter part of my Question in which I ask whether he will take steps to widen these regulations and to apply them to other foodstuffs?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have already said in my answer, if the hon. Member had done me the courtesy of listening to me, that it is not intended to extend these provisions to other foodstuffs.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the hon. Gentleman explain then why this principle should be applied to sausages and not to other foodstuffs?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Because we feel our way before we act.

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