HC Deb 07 February 1949 vol 461 cc23-4
34. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that exporters of sheep casings to the United States, who are allowed to use the dollars so obtained to buy hog casings, fail, owing to the shortage of sheep casings, to obtain enough hog casings for the sausage requirements of this country; and how he proposes to remedy this situation.

Mr. Strachey

It is mainly the restricted United States demand for sheep casings from this country that limits the quantity of hog casings which can be imported under the special arrangements to which the hon. Member refers. To end the shortage of hog casings here, we should have to make direct purchases for dollars, which we cannot afford at present.

Mr. Keeling

Is the Minister aware that the public would much rather eat their sausage meat clothed than naked, and is not the surplus of potatoes a good reason for trying to increase the supply of sausage and mash?

Mr. Strachey

Certainly, but we cannot afford dollars for extra casings.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that people are more interested in the contents of the sausage than the casing, whether it be of sheep or hog?

Captain John Crowder

Is it not a fact that manufacturers are paying £1 per 100 yards for sausage skins from the Continent which are bought in America at 5s., and is that not an uneconomical way of carrying on business?

Mr. Strachey

I have no information on the point of yardage—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—but we are supplying as much as we can from soft currency sources.

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