§ 24. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Food if he can now state whether, as a result of the examination by his Department of the consignment of snoek, brought to this country in the ss. "Novelist" at the beginning of this year, this consignment has been released for retail sale.
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. We carefully examined this initial consignment and decided it was too salt. We shall use it for fish paste. The consignments now coming in are unsalted and will be suitable for retail sale. Some will be released on 23rd May.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles that answer with the answer given in this House on 21st January, by his Parliamentary Secretary, that this consignment showed an improvement over its predecessors, and will he, therefore, tell the House whether it is his intention to pay the full contract price for this article, which he himself now admits is inferior?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, we do not intend to pay the full contract price for the consignment which was salty, and unfit for the retail trade.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleyWill it be called salmon and shrimp paste?