§ 8. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that certain tinned cabbage imported by his Department from Australia has arrived unfit for consumption; and whether he will investigate this matter before further shipments are ordered.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Australian tinned cabbage to which the hon. Member refers came from surplus Army stocks, which were sampled by the Government chemists' department and by public analysts before being distributed for catering use, and I am satisfied that it is fit for consumption.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman's satisfaction, expressed in his last sentence, based on personal experience of the tin I sent him?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BaldwinDoes the Minister really think that it is worth while, when shipping space is so very important, that we should be importing tinned cabbage when we can grow plenty of cabbage in this country?