4. Mr. Amoryasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there are many complaints of poor quality meat being issued in the county of Devon; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the south-western counties are to get their fair share of such supplies of good quality meat as are available.
§ Mr. StracheyI can assure the hon. Member that the south-west receives its fair share of the better types of meat. I have received no complaints about quality from Devonshire.
Mr. AmoryWill the right hon. Gentleman accept it that some of the meat is so bad in quality that it really seems a sheer waste of foreign currency to buy it? In regard to the second part of my Question, will he do what he can to convince the people of the south-west that he is right and I am wrong?
§ Mr. StracheyI could not agree with the first part of the supplementary question. As to the second part, I can assure the south-west that they probably receive a slightly higher proportion of home killed meat.
Mr. Wilson HarrisIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the south-eastern counties what is obviously hide is being supplied instead of flesh?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Question deals with the south-west.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the Minister say why the south-west is thus favoured?
§ Mr. StracheyWe try to equalise this distribution, but it is very difficult to get it exact.