Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller if American meat firms were paid 1s. 3d. per lb. for frozen beef ex New York and 10½d. per lb. for frozen beef ex Argentina; and whether, in order to secure the higher price, beef was shipped from Buenos Ayres to New York and then transferred to his Department at 1s. 3d. per lb.?
50W
§ Mr. McCURDYThe Ministry of Food has never paid to the North American packers any price for meat as high as 1s. 3d. a pound. The price paid for beef acquired in this country from the Argentine importers is that mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. The Food Controller has no knowledge of such an operation as that described in the last part of the question, and has no reason to believe that it has occurred.