§ 54. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in a number of instances butchers refused to accept ewe mutton due to its unsatisfactory quality; that they thereby had to forego the value of this ration meat and cut down the ration of their customers; and if he will stop issuing ewe mutton for distribution on the ration.
§ Mr. WebbI know that some butchers have occasionally refused imported ewe mutton, but this has not affected consumers' rations, since, if a butcher is unable to meet his customers' rations out of his stock, we can always arrange for them to be supplied by other butchers. I explained to the hon. Member on 25th October that if a butcher is dissatisfied with the quality of his meat and his appeal to the district meat agent is upheld, a replacement will be made; but the present supplies do not enable us to remove ewe mutton from the ration.
§ Mr. BossomWould the Minister give an assurance that any butchers who refuse this ewe mutton in the future will be able to get other rations for their customers?
§ Sir H. WilliamsWhy are there more ewes about now than there were in the days of Tory misrule?