§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the manager of the Dunmow Flitch Bacon Company, Limited, sent on 29th November to the Ministry of Food, in reply to inquiries, stating that since 9th August last there had been condemned at the factory and at retailers' premises 55 cwts. 2 qrs. 26 lbs. of smoked bacon and 20 cwts. 0 qrs. 3 lbs. of green bacon; if he is aware that the actual quantities and the dates on which they were supplied and the certificates from the medical officer of health have been sent to the suppliers who act 1334W on behalf of the Ministry; and if he will explain the basis of the official statement that 3¾ cwts. of imported bacon had been condemned at the factory in question?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the information accordingly was not available until after the hon. Member's question on 27th November, on the subject had been answered. The reason for which the Ministry had at that date information that only 3¾ cwts. had been condemned was due to the fact that the claims in respect of the remainder were being dealt with by local committees appointed for this purpose; details are not normally sent to the headquarters of the Ministry until the committees' investigations are completed.