HC Deb 13 July 1953 vol 517 cc1718-20
54. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the issue which has arisen between his Department and the meat trade in Scotland in connection with the regulations he has imposed as from 5th July; whether he is aware that a temporary threat to the whole system of meat distribution is involved; and what steps he proposes in order to resolve the differences.

56. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Lancashire butchers cannot sell their ewe mutton which they were obliged by his Department to accept; and what steps he is now contemplating to ensure that this meat is consumed by the public.

59. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Fuel whether he will make a further statement about his discussions with meat traders about unsold ewe mutton.

60. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Food why he made it a condition of sale to butchers that they would be supplied with other types of meat only if they accepted a proportion of ewe mutton; if he is aware that such a condition is contrary to the spirit of recent legislation; and if he will discontinue this imposition.

43. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that butchers are being threatened by his Department with a cessation of meat supplies unless they accept unpalatable ewe mutton in a dictated proportion; and what steps he is taking to remove the officials responsible for these acts.

44. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Regulations he has imposed on the meat traders since 5th July have created an intolerable position for both the traders and the consuming public; and what steps he proposes to take to ease the situation.

52. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered the result of a public opinion poll taken by Accrington butchers on the question of pork and imported mutton, details of which have been sent to him; and what action he proposes to take.

Dr. Hill

I would refer to the full statement I made on these matters in the course of the debate in the House on Wednesday, 8th July,

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that the Lancashire butchers offered this ewe mutton to the Blackpool Tower Zoo at cut prices and the Zoo people refused it? What steps is the Minister taking to see that the lions and tigers eat their fair share of this rubbish?

Dr. Hill

I am glad to say there is some difference between the dietetic habits of the human species and other animals.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Is it necessary to compel butchers to take meat for which some of them have no market? Would it not be possible for the Ministry to allow the butchers to say whether they want this meat or not and sell any not taken up for manufacturing purposes?

Dr. Hill

Since the beginning of rationing it has been necessary for successive Ministers of Food to require the butchers to take the same proportion of the various kinds and qualities of meat available. That requirement must continue while the present system obtains.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at this moment there are thousands of butchers in conference assembled at Central Hall, Westminster? Will he step across the road and have a chat with them?

Dr. Hill

I would inform the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there is no need to step across the road, for they are sending a deputation to meet me at four o'clock.

Mr. Callaghan

Does the hon. Gentleman know that his statement is challenged by representative butchers who brought a deputation to Cardiff Members of Parliament last Wednesday to insist that there has never before been conditional sale of meat such as the Minister is now imposing upon them? If they are wrong, what steps will the hon. Gentleman take to show them that this policy is being carried out as before?

Dr. Hill

I assure the hon. Gentleman that apart from a period of relaxation for imported mutton over the last six months it has been a requirement since 1940 that butchers generally should take the same proportions of the kinds available.

Mr. Callaghan

Does not the hon. Gentleman know that the allegation of the butchers is that they have been free hitherto to decline to take certain portions of meat if they did not wish to do so? Why is the Ministry now tightening up on that procedure?

Dr. Hill

I assure the hon. Gentleman that, with the exception of imported mutton—in respect of which for the past six months there has been a relaxation which is now ending—it has been a requirement since the beginning that the same proportions should be accepted by all.