§ 52. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Food why at least 12 cars each carrying two officials of his Department in addition to a considerable ground staff of other officials were necessary in the Liverpool docks on 9th February to supervise the unloading and warehousing of a cargo of Russian canned fish; what the total number of officials employed was; and whether he will in future make economies in such cases.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt is sometimes desirable to supervise the unloading and warehousing of valuable cargo. To do so in this case necessitated the use of 38 officers and 12 cars working on a shift basis.
§ Mr. FraserI could not hear the right hon. Lady. Did she say 48 officers?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir—38.
§ Mr. FraserIf it was an investigation, surely it would have been much better if the officers had ridden on the lorry instead of using Government transport—[HON. MEMBERS: "And petrol."]—and drawing to the attention of the criminals concerned to the fact that an investigation was taking place?
§ Dr. SummerskillI do not think the hon. Gentleman understands what happened. These men were there to prevent pilfering. This is not a new feature of our Department. We have supervised the unloading of eight vessels in the same way this year.
§ Mr. ErrollCan the right hon. Lady say why the safeguarding of these stores could safely be left to a £2 10s. a week watchman at the weekend?
§ Dr. SummerskillThat was the rate of wages when the hon. Gentleman's Government was in power.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksCan the right hon. Lady say what was the nature of the fish which made this cargo so particularly valuable and which could not be protected by the police?
§ Dr. SummerskillCanned crab.
§ Mr. ChurchillIs it a fact that 12 cars carrying two officials each had to supervise all this business?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe right hon. Gentleman is wrong. There were 38 officers and 12 cars. It was a very large cargo and the unloading went on for something like 13 days.
§ Mr. ChurchillI suppose that the right hon. Lady realises that it is not rich people's money which she is squandering but the money raised by severe taxation from the whole mass of the people of the country?
Dr. SununerskillI recognise something which perhaps the right hon. Gentleman has not recognised, and that is that we are protecting the food of the poorest people.
§ Mr. ChurchillThat may explain the motive but it in no way excuses the extravagance and waste.