§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that local food controllers are directing that no sales of butcher's meat shall take place unless at the time of such sale the goods are paid for by the customer, whatever be his credit and whatever the terms of dealing before control was established; and in pursuance of what Regulations or other authority does he justify such direction?
§ Mr. McCURDYWhile food committees have certain general powers under the Rationing Order, 1918, there is no general Regulation whereby they can compel a retailer to refuse credit. If the hon. Member will bring to my notice any cases in which a food committee has used its powers contrary to the wishes of the retailer, I will have inquiries made.
§ Mr. SEDDONasked the Food Controller whether, seeing that in October, 1917, 766W Sir John Taverner made an offer to his. Department of 100,000 cattle from Texas at a price which would have enabled frozen meat to arrive in Liverpool at 7½d. per pound, he will explain why no reply was sent to this offer for a month; why upon Sir John Taverner again repeating the offer the only reply sent was to the effect that the Department was arranging its own purchases in America; and why, subject to this offer, the Department proceeded to import meat from Chicago, which arrived at Liverpool and other ports at 1s. 2½d. per pound, c.i.f., and was of so poor a character that hundreds of tons of it had to be sold in Smithfield as free, i.e., uncontrolled meat, and disposed of to sausage manufacturers and potted-meat contractors?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe offer in question was found after prolonged investigation to be impracticable owing to lack of shipping facilities. The need for economic use of tonnage compelled the Department to purchase meat in the United States.