§ 21 and 22. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Food (1) how many tons of edible tallow of all grades were imported in the period 1st January, 1949, to 1st October; how much was later resold for non-edible purposes; and what were the purchase and re-selling prices;
(2) how many tons of edible tallow of all grades have been imported since 1st January, 1949; what were the countries of origin; how much has been bought since devaluation; and where these purchases were made.
§ Mr. StracheyEleven thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven tons of edible tallow were imported between 1st January and 30th September, 1949, the latest available date, from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Uruguay. Since devaluation my Department has signed new contracts with Australia and New Zealand for one year from 1st October continuing the arrangements under which we buy the whole of their exportable surplus of tallow. So far this year no edible tallow has been sold for non-edible uses, but any tallow not fit for edible use would be sold at my Department's published selling prices for technical tallow. I am not prepared to disclose the purchase prices of particular consignments.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the 1,500 tons of edible tallow imported from the Argentine in February has not yet been disposed of, or has been found to have gone rancid, and what is the loss expected to be?
§ Mr. StracheyI could not agree that that particular consignment has gone rancid. Some may be used for technical purposes.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWhat did the right hon. Gentleman mean when he told me on 7th November that the price had been changed, because there would be no loss on the re-sale? Surely if the price is reduced, there must be a loss on re-sale?
§ Mr. StracheyI am afraid I have not followed the last point made by the hon. Member. Perhaps he will put down a Question on it.
§ Mr. TurtonHow much has gone rancid?
§ Mr. StracheyNone has gone rancid at present. Some may be used for soap making rather than for the fat ration or for lard, but that process is one which goes on every year.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes the Minister, then, deny that fat which has gone rancid has been offered to soap makers who say that they can do nothing with it?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. Tallow which is no longer fit on arrival for edible uses may be used for non-edible uses.
§ 23. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Food what was the cause of the deterioration of edible mutton tallow from New Zealand during the summer; how much was involved; what has now become of it; and what was the purchase and selling price of it.
§ Mr. StracheyThe arrival from New Zealand of some edible mutton tallow of low keeping quality coincided with peak supplies of home-produced animal fat, when the use of imported tallow is seasonally low. So far 463 tons of mutton tallow from New Zealand have been set aside and will be offered for technical purposes at the Ministry's published prices. I am not prepared to disclose our purchase prices.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that this fat went bad because it was landed on the quay and left there unstored for a considerable period of time, and that that coincided with the dock strike?
§ Mr. StracheyI have no information to that effect.
§ Captain CrookshankWhat on earth does the right hon. Gentleman mean when he keeps repeating that it is "used for technical purposes"?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is used for making soap.
§ Captain CrookshankThen why not say so?
§ Major Legge-BourkeIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.