§ MAJOR Sir KEITH FRASERasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that, during the first week of the new Regulation being in force regarding the sale of B meat, 4,914 lbs. of this meat was sold in Leicester for £169 3s. 4½d. and that £61 8s. 6d. was deducted by the Government (36.3 per cent, of the realised offals), leaving only £107 14s. 10½d. for the fanners for the eighteen beasts that were sold; and will he have inquiries made into this matter?
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§ Mr. McCURDYI am informed that as the returns with regard to this meat have not yet been received it is impossible to check the figures which the hon. and gallant Member quotes. I would point out, however, that they refer entirely to meat of inferior quality which has to be sold at its marketable value, and that this, in the case of some of the carcases referred to, appears to have been as low as 3½d. per lb. I may add that instructions have recently been issued that the price of B meat must be regarded as having advanced to correspond with the advance in price of first-grade meat, arid should in no case be less than 6d. per lb., plus 1½d. per lb. for offal.