§ 35. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Food how many tons of edible fats, purchased by his Department in the Argentine, have arrived here in an inedible and rancid condition.
§ Mr. StracheySeven thousand three hundred tons of animal fat purchased as "edible" under the Andes Agreement have arrived in this country, up to the present. About 500 tons of this have been reported unfit for human consumption; it will be used for soap.
§ Mr. FraserIs it not highly unsatisfactory that, with a fairly large staff in Buenos Aires, this sort of thing should happen; further, why was this fat not properly checked before it was taken on board?
§ Mr. StracheyThe question of responsibility for this, and the payment for it, is still under discussion. Responsibility is not necessarily ours.
§ Mr. J. S. C. ReidDoes the Minister not have these cargoes examined by his inspectors before they are shipped from the Argentine?
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly, Sir. The responsibility in this case is, in our view, on the shippers. These incidents take place and always have taken place in pre-war trade. We are most careful to see that the responsibility should not necessarily lie with us.
§ Sir W. DarlingCan we take it from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that we will not pay the price of edible fat but that we will pay, on settlement, only for soap fat?
§ Mr. StracheyThe matter is in some senses sub judice, but it is certainly our intention.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWhat proportion of the total sum was paid against the bills of lading?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot go into the exact commercial proceedings which are going on, but the responsibility here, in our view, is with the shipper.