§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Food whether twenty steamers with cargoes of meat and mutton are lying in various ports in the United Kingdom and cannot be discharged on account of lack of storage; whether the stocks of frozen meat in cold storage in the United Kingdom amount to 100,000 tons; whether the imports during the next two months are estimated at 57,000 tons in December and 60,000 tons in January; whether the present consumption is approximately 30,000 tons per month; whether the consumption in the United Kingdom since the beginning of the War has been 33 per cent. below the normal and still remains at 33 per cent., below the normal owing to high prices; whether there are 150,000 tons of meat and mutton lying in freezing works 918W in Australia and New Zealand; can he state what action it is proposed to take to relieve the congestion in this country; whether the meat is to be allowed to lie in store until it is rotten, as was done in the case of bacon; will he state why prices are not reduced and the demand thus increased; whether the reason for keeping prices up is to enable the Department to make a profit to provide for the payment of subsidy to British farmers on home-killed meat; and whether he will give as full an explanation as possible of the present position and the policy of his Department with regard to meat?
§ Mr. McCURDYAt the present time there are eight steamers in course of discharge with storage provided for all their cargoes; there are four steamers berthed with cargoes for which there is not at present any storage accommodation; and there are seven other steamers not yet berthed. The stock of frozen meat in store is, approximately, as stated, and the arrivals during December and January will probably not be less than the figures stated in the question. The total consumption of meat at the present time varies between 90,000 and 110,000 tons per month, of which imported meat forms a varying proportion, but is not less than 30,000 tons per month at the present time, The consumption in the United Kingdom during the War has also shown different variations from the normal, and at the present time is about 30 per cent. below the pre-war standard. The quantity of meat in the stores in Australia and New Zealand cannot be stated with exactness on any given day, but it is expected to be about 120,000 tons on the 31st December. Frozen meat placed in properly equipped storage will not become rotten. The suggestion that bacon has become rotten in store is without foundation. Prices of imported mutton and lamb have been reduced and at the present time represent actual cost. The Food Controller is now in close consultation with the President of the Board of Trade and the President of the Board of Agriculture on the whole question of meat control, and proposes to make a full announcement on the subject at a very early date.
§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to a resolution of the Consumers' Council stating that the Consumers' Council, having observed the reply given by him in the House of Commons to the effect 919W that he was conferring with the Board of Trade on the proposed immediate decontrol of meat, and after having received from the officials of the Ministry of Food the facts and figures bearing upon the present position and their calculations as to the future Home, Allied, and Foreign demand generally, is strongly of opinion that the effect of decontrol would at this juncture be fraught with the gravest danger to the consumers with regard to price, supply, and quality; and whether, in view of the effect of decontrol in other cases, he will, before any decision on this matter is taken, see that the views of the council are fully considered?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. On this, as on other matters, the fullest consideration will be given to the council's views before any decision is taken.
§ Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Food if he will state the cost price of imported meat; and the corresponding wholesale and retail sale prices?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe only imported meat purchased by the Government at the present time is Australasian mutton and lamb. The cost of this meat to the Ministry of Food is 10½d. per lb., and it is sold at this price to the wholesaler. It is impossible to give an exactly parallel retail figure, as the meat is cut up and sold at varying prices, according to the different joints, but the average price is approximately 1s. 0½d. per lb.