§ Colonel W. THORNEasked the Food Controller what were the stocks of bacon in hand on 1st March last; what quantity 1233W has been shipped to Germany or other places since that date and what weight imported; what weights have been released for consumption during each of the last eight weeks, and how do they compare with the quantities released during the corresponding eight weeks of last year; what is the reason for maintaining a system of licences where by willing shippers are prevented from exporting some of the finest bacon in the world from the North of Ireland and on which Lancashire and Yorkshire formerly depended; whether he is aware that shippers of inferior bacon in the South of Ireland can easily obtain licences for export; and whether he will name a date when these restrictions on the Irish food trade with. Britain shall cease altogether?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe stocks of bacon in this country on 1st March, 1919, were 44,500 tons. Since that date 22,500 tons of bacon have been shipped to Germany, and 2,000 tons to Belgium.
The quantity of bacon imported into this country since 1st March is 62,500 tons on Government account, and, up to 17th May, approximately 30,300 tons on private account.
The amount of bacon released by the Ministry for civiliain consumption during each of the last eight weeks is as follows:
Tons. Week ending 12th April … 7,710 Week ending 19th April … 5,994 Week ending 26th April … 4,367 Week ending 3rd May … 5,089 Week ending 10th May … 4,487 Week ending 17th May … 3,567 Week ending 24th May … 3,789 Week ending 31st May … 4,150 In addition to these quantities, bacon imported on private account has been made available to the trade. No statistics are available to show the quantities of bacon released during the corresponding eight weeks of 1918. The existing arrangements for the issue of licences for the export of Irish bacon to Great Britain were adopted in order to ensure that an adequate supply of bacon would be available for the home market in Ireland, and in order that the Ministry might be in a position to exercise effective control over the sale and distribution in Great Britain of the exportable surplus. Owing to the prevailing shortage of bacon produced in the North of Ireland, it has been found necessary to suspend temporarily licences for the ex- 1234W port of certain cuts of bacon from that part of the country. Licences are, however, still being freely issued for the export of hams from the North of Ireland. Export licences are issued to curers in the South of Ireland for the export of cuts of bacon different from those manufactured in the North of Ireland; but this bacon is in no way inferior to bacon produced in the North of Ireland, and forms much the largest proportion of Irish production.
In view of the uncertainty of the present position so far as imported bacon is concerned, the Food Controller is unable at present to fix a date for the removal of the existing restrictions.
§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Food Controller whether the Department have been sending quantities of bacon to Germany and that, in consequence of its condition, further supplies have been refused; whether instructions have now been given to unload the remainder of this bacon on the Liverpool market and secure whatever price it will fetch; and whether, in view of the fact that the bacon is unfit for food, he will have inquiries made into the matter and have the bacon disposed of for soap-making or other purposes?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe whole of the bacon which it has been arranged to supply to the German Government has been shipped or is now in course of loading. None of it has been refused as being in bad condition or for any other reason, nor have any complaints as to its quality been received. With regard to the latter part of the question, I may say that one parcel originally intended for shipment to Germany, and subsequently replaced, was delayed owing to shipping difficulties and was issued to the civilian trade in order to prevent deterioration. So far as I am aware there is no ground for the suggestion that this bacon was unfit for food.