HC Deb 12 July 1950 vol 477 cc1353-4
52. Mr. Ralph Morley

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the position with regard to the meat ration at Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester, Romsey and the New Forest for this week and the coming week-end.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Maurice Webb)

I see no reason why the full ration should not be available in these districts this week and over the week-end.

53 and 54. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Food (1) what quantity of meat was condemned at Kingston-upon-Thames on Monday, 5th June, 1950; what proportion this represented of the total consignment; what was the value of the meat so destroyed; and when and where the animals concerned had been slaughtered;

(2) how much mutton allocated to Surbiton butchers at the end of June, 1950, was found to be unfit for consumption; what proportion this amounted to of a consignment of 100 carcases; what was the cause of the condition of this meat; and what action he is taking in the matter.

Mr. Webb

I will, with permission, answer these Questions together, as Surbiton and Kingston-upon-Thames are supplied from the same depôt.

On Monday, 5th June, just over 3,000 lbs. of mutton worth £211 were condemned. This was about 56 per cent. by weight of a consignment of 99 sheep and about 4 per cent. by value of the total meat supplied. The animals had been slaughtered at Islington on Saturday, 3rd June, and as I said in my reply on 21st June to the hon. and gallant Member for Angus, North and Mearns (Mr. Thornton-Kemsley) their condition was the result of the very hot weather at the time. I have given instructions which, I hope, will minimise the risk of further incidents of this sort. There were no similar incidents at the end of June.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has taken action to emphasise the personal responsibility of those responsible both for the loss to public funds and the loss of valuable food?

Mr. Webb

As I have said in the House before, I have called for a full report of the whole incident, and I am awaiting the receipt of that report.