HC Deb 17 December 1946 vol 431 cc1744-5
24. Mr. Bossom

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the quantities of tinned food, held either by his Department or by N.A.A.F.I., in or within five miles of the Cheddar Gorge; how much of this has been allowed to remain so long as to become unfit for human consumption; and what is being done with this unfit food.

Mr. Bellenger

The only Army or N.A.A.F.I. tinned food stored within five miles of Cheddar Gorge is at Langford. The stores are in both cases in constant issue, and there is none that is unfit for human consumption. The Army stocks at the moment amount to 41 tons and N.A.A.F.I. merely hold normal trading stocks.

Mr. Bossom

Can the Minister say within five and a quarter miles or some other small distance that there is not a large amount of food being wasted in that area?

Mr. Bellenger

I have not measured it myself, but I think I had better stick to five miles.

Mr. Bossom

This situation is very remarkable. Could not the Minister investigate the matter and find out if there is not a large amount of food there?