§ 39. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Food the annual rate of payment now being made to the Meat Importers' National (Defence) Association; and what services are rendered to his Department by this Association in return for these payments.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe amount paid depends on the tonnage handled in any year and on the approved expenses. For the year 1951 to 1952 it was £465,987. The services performed by the Association include all those appropriate to the landing, storage, and first hand distribution of imported meat.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Minister satisfied with the return for this payment, which has been going on for many years now, and that the Ministry and the country are getting value for money? Why pay these importers for not importing?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeImporting is not the only job. After the meat has arrived here it has to be distributed. I am satisfied that this Association, which has been in operation for many years, and supported by every Government since it was formed, is rendering a service cheaper probably than we could do it ourselves.
§ Mr. RoyleWould the right hon. and gallant Gentleman divide the figure he has given between the amount absorbed for services and the amount disbursed to members as compensation?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe system of computing this sum has been in operation for many years, and the previous Administration dealt with it in exactly the same way as we do. The figures have been gone into very carefully. The Administration decide what the amount should be. The distribution of the amount is in the hands of the Association.
§ Mr. RoyleThat is not an answer to my question. Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman please tell the House how that £470,000 was divided between services and compensation?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeSo far as the Ministry is concerned, there is no question of compensation. These are purely services and the global sum is distributed by the Association, as it always has been distributed before.
§ Mr. KeenanWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us exactly what distribution it is for which this body is responsible? Is it not a fact that the Association distribute supplies them selves?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo. The amount of meat varies from year to year. The latest figure is about 460,000 tons.
§ Mr. BurdenIs not the best method of dealing with this to remove meat from control as soon as possible and allow this organisation to carry out its proper function of buying and selling meat in this country?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI agree, but the question of supply has to be considered beforehand.