§ 51. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Food how the allocation of the large turkeys from the U.S.A. will be made; and whether it will be possible to make some available to butchers in mining areas for cooking and selling in sandwiches.
§ 50. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the Minister of Food what arrangements he proposes to make to enable small families to purchase portions of the turkeys from the U.S.A. when these birds become available.
§ Dr. SummerskillI would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Shurmer) on 24th March. If arrangements for the purchase of these turkeys are concluded we will consider the possibility of allocating some to butchers in mining areas for sale to miners' canteens, where they could be included in the packed meals, to which it is assumed my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. MurrayIs my hon. Friend aware that that reply will give great satisfaction—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—because at the present time the butchers do not know how to give people something to eat during the week?
§ Sir T. MooreIs the hon. Lady aware that the average weight of these turkeys is 34 lb.; that it takes three years for a turkey to achieve that weight; and that, therefore, the turkeys are so tough that they will not be able to be carved?
§ Mr. GallacherThey are not so tough as the hon. and gallant Member.
§ 54. Captain John Crowderasked the Minister of Food if he will state the price 1238 paid for the turkeys which he has recently bought in the U.S.A.
§ Dr. SummerskillNegotiations for the purchase of some turkeys which were offered to my right hon. Friend are not yet completed.
§ Captain CrowderIs the hon. Lady aware that a private importer told the Minister that these turkeys could be bought at about 33 cents per lb. f.o.b. New York last January; that the Minister did nothing; that the new price is between 37 and 38 cents per lb.; and could the Minister look into it, because bulk buying is becoming very expensive?
§ Dr. SummerskillI have told the hon. and gallant Member that negotiations are going forward. I do not want to prejudice negotiations by mentioning prices in the House at this moment.
§ Mr. ScollanIs the hon. Lady aware that the United States have just confiscated the largest turkey in Europe and Asia?