§ 58. Mr. Frankelasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that in a Covent Garden warehouse there are 250 tons of vegetables which were bought by the Government in good condition, have since been allowed to go rotten, and are now unfit for human consumption; whether inquiries will be made as to whether there are other similar cases of gross waste; and what steps it is proposed to take to prevent their recurrence?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe carrots to which my hon. Friend presumably refers form part of the emergency reserve held by the Government in a number of large towns. When they began to deteriorate and it was found that the London markets were abundantly stocked with carrots for human consumption in the hands of private traders, they were sold for stock feed. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that these carrots were wasted. My Noble Friend is, however, making inquiries in regard to the general question.
§ Mr. FrankelIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that carrots are not the only vegetables involved in this wastage, which is still going on, and that the head of one of the biggest firms seriously involved in these allegations was only yesterday appointed to the new Vegetable Board; and will he have inquiries made into these allegations before this gentleman takes up his duties?
Major Lloyd GeorgeWhile I cannot accept what the hon. Gentleman has said, I would refer him to the last part of my answer, that inquiries with regard to the general question are being pursued.