§ 21. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food the quantities, respectively, of pastes, soups, Dutch brisling, tomato ketchup and salad cream he has purchased since 1st January, 1950; how much remains on hand; how much remains unsold or in the hands of retailers; how much has been destroyed as unfit for human consumption; and what has been the loss to the taxpayer on these transactions.
§ Mr. WebbMy Department have bought no pastes, no soups, no tomato ketchup, nor any salad cream. About 840 tons of Dutch canned brisling was bought in 1949, part of which was imported in 1950. Rather more than half this quantity is still held by my Department. I cannot say how much, if any, remains with retailers. As far as I am aware, only about one hundredweight has been destroyed as unfit for human consumption. As 875 sales have not yet been completed, I cannot say what the financial outcome will be.
§ Mr. McAddenIs the Minister not aware that home-caught brisling is both better in quality and cheaper in price? Why does he continue to waste our money in importing Dutch brisling?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat has nothing to do with this Question.