§ 55. Mr. Woodburnasked the Minister of Food why nearly 400 sheep plucks were wasted by being sent to the Inverness municipal destructor; whether he is aware that prior to the establishment of the control price of 3s. these plucks could be sold locally at prices which the people could afford to pay; and whether he will therefore reduce the control price?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI have looked into the incident referred to and I have ascertained that, in the first fortnight of control 325 sheep plucks were overlooked at the Inverness slaughterhouse and in consequence were condemned by the local inspector. This happened, not, as suggested by the hon. Member, because the price of these plucks were too high, but because of a regrettable oversight on the part of an employé of the Wholesale Meat Supply Association, who admit liability for the loss incurred. I am glad to say that there has been no recurrence of the incident, and I am assured by the local officers that none is likely in the future.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Minister aware that it is alleged that last week 380 plucks were destroyed and that, with the Saturday's killing, these were put into bags and sent over 100 miles to Aberdeen; and does he not think that if there had been a reasonable price they could have been purchased locally?
§ Mr. MorrisonApart from the incident mentioned in my answer, I am told that there is nothing of the kind. I am also told that the trouble was not that of price but was due to an oversight on the part of the firm.