91. Captain Noel-Bakerasked the Under-Secretary of State for India why U.S. Army food stores were recently destroyed in Calcutta; and what action he will take to ensure that in future such stores are acquired for civilian consumption in India.
§ Mr. A. HendersonAs my reply is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Captain Noel-BakerCan my hon. and learned Friend say whether food was destroyed and, if so, will he see that it does not happen again?
§ Mr. HendersonI cannot prevent food which has already been destroyed from being destroyed again. Of 90,000 tons of United States Army food in India and Burma at the time of the Japanese surrender, a total of 310 tons was ordered to be destroyed because it was declared unsafe to eat.
Captain Noel-BakerWill my hon and learned Friend see that, if food is fit to eat, in future it will be released on to the civilian market in India?
§ Mr. HendersonI think steps have already been taken to make use of the foodstuffs left by the American Army.
1653 Following is the reply:
I am informed that only small quantities of food were destroyed which medical officers had declared unsafe for human consumption. All food surpluses in India of United States Forces origin have now been turned over to the military authorities in India for disposal in consultation with the local civil authorities, and they are being used for civilian consumption to the maximum extent possible.
The following is a summary of a statement made to the Press by the Commander of the United States Forces in India:
Major-General Vernon Evans, Commander, United States Armed Forces, India-Burma, branded as an "absurd" report a despatch from Calcutta published in London stating that "thousands of tons" of army food had been destroyed in India in preference to shipping it back to America. A report compiled under the General's direction states that, of 90,000 tons of United States Army food in India and Burma at the time of the Japanese surrender, a total of 310 tons was ordered to be destroyed because medical officers declared it was spoiled arid unsafe to eat In addition, there were when the war ended 40,000 tons of Post Exchange supplies (American canteen stores) including candy. cookies, soap and fruit juices. Of this approximately 700 tons was destroyed because it became wormy or otherwise unfit to eat. Of the 90,000 tons of food on hand on V.-J. Day, 39,000 was eaten by troops. Of the remaining 51,000 the Foreign Liquidation Commission delivered 12,300 tons to U.N.R.R.A and to Indian charitable institutions. Two thousand tons is being retained to feed American soldiers during the balance of their stay in India. The remaining 36,500 tons is being turned over to the Government of India on sale as Army surplus. Of 40,000 tons of Post Exchange supplies considerable quantities have been made available to N.A.A.F.I., while other stocks have been sold by the Foreign Liquidation Commission to dealers in India.