§ 19. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food how much prime meat was bought by his Department from the Smithfield Show; if he will state in convenient categories the prices paid; and in what areas it was sold.
§ Mr. F. WilleyAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir W. SmithersWas the meat sold at a loss or a profit, and was this prime meat lumped in with the inferior quality meat being sold to the public?
Following is the reply:The total number of each kind, the total carcase weights and the total amounts paid in accordance with the price schedules applicable at collecting centres throughout Great Britain for animals purchased by my Department from exhibitors at the 1949 Smithfield Show were as follow:
lbs. £ s. d. 64cattle … 53,169 … 4,107 6 4 153 sheep … 12,004 … 1,435 6 0 100 pigs … 10,714 … 1,142 11 8
§ All this meat was distributed in the London area.