§ 59. Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Food whether he has yet completed negotiations with the West German Government about sending mutton to this country.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Maurice Webb)I am looking into the possibility of buying meat in West Germany, but before any negotiations could take place, the Government would have to be satisfied that meat could be imported from that country without danger to animal health here and that methods of inspection and slaughtering are up to the standards we require.
§ Brigadier RaynerIf, as I understand, the meat is available, how does the Minister reconcile this availability with the frequent expression of opinion by his right hon. and hon. colleagues that when rationing is done away with in Germany the mass of the people there will go hungry?
§ Mr. WebbI recollect being pressed from all parts of the House to try to find meat in every possible place. That is what we are trying to do. At the same time, we have to take account of the risk to our own animal health. We have already had dangers arising from fowl pest and we have to take care.