§ 51. Mr. W. Brownasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will now give an assurance that if dehydrated meat is used in Britain the sole medium for its distribution will be the butchers' shops?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)No, Sir. I cannot now give the assurance suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Sir W. DavisonOn a point of Order. May I ask what the word "dehydrated" means?
§ Mr. BrownDoes not the Minister realise that if the use of dehydrated meat becomes general and it is sold through other sources than butchers' shops, the position of butchers will become an extremely serious one, and cannot he give me the assurance asked for?
§ Mr. MabaneArrangements for producing dried meat in the principal exporting countries are still in the early stages, and it is not yet possible to say how it will be distributed in this country, whether as a substitute for carcase meat or in addition to it. We shall have to consider that.
Petty-Officer Alan HerbertIs my hon. Friend aware that on the tins of this food which he has courteously sent to me the word used in every case is "dried"?
§ Mr. MabaneIf the hon. and gallant Member will open the tins, he will find they contain not meat but vegetables.
§ 53. Mr. Thorneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he proposes to put on the market dehydrated meat; and whether he will arrange for Members to try some of this meat?
§ Mr. MabaneArrangements for the production and packing of dried meat on a commercial scale are still in an early stage, and I am not at present able to say how or when supplies will be made available to civilian consumers. I will give consideration in due course to the suggestion made by my hon. Friend in the last part of his Question.