§ 5. Mr. Anthony Hurdasked the Minister of Food if he will outline the arrangements he is making to hold in cold store part of the heavy supplies of home-killed meat marketed in the early autumn.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 30th April to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Angus (Captain Duncan).
§ Mr. HurdIs the Minister aware that the weeks are passing and the autumn is approaching? Cannot the Minister tell us at least in outline the plans he has in mind for spreading the very heavy peak production of home-killed meat in the autumn so that consumers get a more level and even ration of meat throughout the year?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeSpace has been earmarked to freeze and store a certain amount of meat in the country. My hon. Friend will realise that this country is not equipped to do this on a large scale and never has been, but every effort is being made, with the amount of space available, to store. Furthermore, an inducement is given to the home producer to hold back cattle in the autumn flush.
§ Mr. HurdIs my right hon. and gallant Friend in consultation with those 1410 who have cold storage facilities, who might very well be able to help him?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI have been for a long time in very close touch with them, but my hon. Friend must realise that not only do we have to do this freezing, but we also have to store what meat comes into the country.