§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Food Controller how much bacon imported by the Ministry of Food since the 1st January last has been sold for soap-making and for purposes other than human food, and the cause which rendered it necessary to condemn this bacon for food purposes and to sell it for other purposes?
§ Major ASTORClaims made and allowed to the trade for heated and tainted pieces of bacon represent approximately ¼ of 1 per cent. of the total deliveries. A reasonable estimate of the portion which might have found its way to soap boilers through the trade is not more than 15 per cent. of this proportion, or approximately 1/25th of 1 per cent. of the whole. This is rather less than the usual loss2518W incurred by the trade in pre-war days. Owing to delays in transit arising from war conditions, such as the priority required to be given to troops and munitions, certain parcels of bacon have reached this country in a tainted condition. Portions of cargoes from torpedoed ships also arrived in a condition only suitable for rendering purposes, and were disposed of accordingly.