§ 57. MR. R. J. Taylorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to 1005 the fact that the allocation of meat to the Bedlingtonshire Meat Traders' Association Pool has, with the exception of one week. been short of the advertised ration of is. 2d. since Christmas: and whether this is to be rectified?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have examined the allocations of meat to the Bedlingtonshire Urban District Retailers' Buying Committee during each of the past eight weeks, and I cannot accept the statement by my hon. Friend as accurate. During two weeks in February and one week in March issues were below the authorised allocation owing to difficulties of transport resulting from the severe weather, but in each of the succeeding weeks an extra quantity was issued. For the eight weeks ending 22nd March the value of the meat actually issued was £8,264 against an authorised issue of £7,958.
§ Mr. TaylorIs it not remarkable that in the whole of the area the complaint is general that the ration has not been received, with the exception of one week? Will the hon. Gentleman see whether the emergency ration was included or excluded in these figures?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI certainly will, but I would repeat again the information which I have given in my reply.