§ Mr. GILBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Food Controller has fixed the maximum prices for imported beef, mutton, and lamb from the United States at less than the prices for English meat; if so, whether this was done against the advice of the importing firms in this country; whether the result of fixing such prices has practically stopped all meat imports from America and that ships with refrigerating space are now being used for other purposes; whether an additional supply of meat can be at once obtained from the United States if prices are altered; and whether, in view of this, he will at once take action on these lines and also consult the importing firms as regards the matter?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. The importation of meat from America, mainly for Army purposes, is larger at the present time than it has been for many years, and the fullest use is being made of all the refrigerated space available. The Ministry of Food has undertaken by arrangement with Mr. Hoover to purchase in the United States the whole of the supplies of meat than can be obtained for this country. The Food Controller is advised on all matters relating to the importation of meat by an Importers' Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Committee on Live Stock and Meat Supplies.