§ 58. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the cost of storage of meat in hired vessels averages some 2½ times that of equivalent storage on land; and what steps he has taken to avoid this method of storage by quicker distribution of food.
§ 61. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food if, in view of the remarks of the Comptroller and Auditor General in Command Paper No. 93 concerning the cost of hiring 15 ships for cold storage at a cost of £609,248, he will in future arrange for imported food to be stored on land and so release ships for their normal services.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Frederick Willey)The arrangement referred to was quite exceptional. The comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General will be very carefully borne in mind by my Department.
§ Mr. OsborneIf and when more Argentine meat becomes available, will the Parliamentary Secretary see that it is not again held up in this sort of manner, and that it is quickly distributed to the public? Will he make that promise? Could I have an answer?
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary realise that interference by the Government by bulk purchase upsets the normal trade channels, and will end in disaster?
§ Mr. WilleyThere were quite exceptional circumstances in this case—the heavy supplies which were arriving at the same time.
§ Mr. KeenanCan the Parliamentary Secretary tell us whether there is normally sufficient cold storage for goods in view of the fact that so much cold storage was destroyed during the war?
§ Mr. WilleyAt the time there was not sufficient normal cold storage available. Of the 15 vessels of which use was made four were obsolete ships, three were ships immobilised by protracted repair jobs, and eight were ships which were seasonally surplus to trading needs.
§ Mr. John TilneyWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that cold storage equipment that is available on land is not being used at all?