74. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the potential risk of a substantial loss in tonnage in the aggregate of meat under the present system by which fat stock is transported to market and graded, he will now, in view of the shortage of meat and food, introduce less wasteful methods.
§ Sir B. SmithMy information is that the quantity of meat lost in the way the hon. Member suggests is negligible, and in the circumstances I see no reason to change the present arrangements for the purchase of fat stock which have worked well throughout the whole period of control.
Mr. De la BèreDoes my right hon. Friend realise that there is substantial loss of tonnage due to the present marketing arrangements? Is he not aware also that the food position is more acute now than it was even during the war years?
§ Sir B. SmithI can assure the hon. Member that I am quite aware of the acuteness of the food position, but still control is working satisfactorily.