§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Food if over 2½ tons of bacon had been imported from abroad and 1909W sent to Dunmow Bacon Factory for treatment and has been condemned as unfit for human consumption; if he can state the amount of food that has been condemned as unfit for human consumption during the present year; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. McCURDYI am advised that 3¾ cwt., not 2½ tons as the hon. Member states, of imported bacon have been condemned at the Dunmow Bacon Factory as unfit for human consumption. The bacon in question was part of the supplies imported on private account. The Ministry of Food are now importing and distributing bacon purchased on Government account, and every care has been taken to ensure that it is of good quality. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Belper on 12th November. Precise figures as to the quantity of foodstuffs condemned as unfit for human consumption are not available, but I have no reason to suppose that it is in excess of the normal.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of his statement that between 31st March and 9th August the private importers of bacon had imported greatly in excess of public demand for consumption, and as on that date the market at Chicago was showing signs of breaking and has since broken to the level of prices in 1916, what was his object in resuming control at that moment; whether the stocks in traders' hands were taken over at the top-of-the-market prices hitherto prevailing; how many tons were taken over and at what prices; how much has been condemned; how much sold to soap-works; and how much offered to the public at leas than controlled prices?
§ Mr. McCURDYOn 9th August the Chicago market for hogs was still advancing, as were also the forward prices of bacon for shipment to this country. Control was resumed for the following main reasons: First, because it was only possible by this means to avoid a further rise in retail prices and, secondly, because there was clear evidence that speculation and profiteering both in this country and in America were raising prices unduly both to the retailer and to the consumer. Stocks in traders' hands were not taken over at the top-of-the-market prices hitherto prevailing. As the Ministry is trading in1910W America on a free market, it would not be in the public interest to state at the present time the amount of bacon taken over; the prices to be paid to all the traders from whom supplies were requisitioned have not yet been settled. As regards the last two parts of the question, the figures as to the amount condemned or sold to soapworks are not yet available. Between 30 per cent, and 40 per cent, of the bacon imported on private account was found by the Ministry's inspectors on arrival not to be in perfect condition, and was immediately placed before committees of trade experts for valuation in order that it might be issued to the public at prices below the maxima varying according to the actual condition of the bacon.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Food what were the prices of bacon hogs and short-rib sides of bacon in Chicago, according to the "Monthly Review of Labour Statistics" of the United States of America Government, in September, 1916; at what prices in the same month was bacon selling at retail in Liverpool, according to the Report of the Departmental, Committee on Prices, 1916; what is the present price of bacon hogs in Chicago, also of short-rib sides of bacon; what is the average controlled price for bacon in this country at present; what is the margin of value per lb. between live hogs at Chicago in September, 1916, and grocers' retail bacon prices in Liverpool at the same period and the corresponding margins between live hogs at Chicago at the present moment and the average retail controlled bacon prices in this country to-day?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe "Monthly Review of the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics" does not quote the prices of bacon hogs, or short-rib sides of bacon in. Chicago; nor does the Report of the Departmental Committee on Prices, 1916, quote the prices at which bacon was selling at retail in Liverpool in September, 1916, The price of live hogs in Chicago during the present month has varied from 12 dollars 70 cents to 15 dollars 40 cents, and that of short-rib sides of bacon from 18 dollars 25 cents to 20 dollars 50 cents. The average controlled retail price of bacon in this country at present is 2s. 1½d. per lb. The Food Controller has not sufficient information on which to ascertain the margin of value per lb. between live hogs at Chicago in September, 1916, and grocers' retail bacon prices in Liverpool at the same period. 1911W The margin between the average price of live hogs at Chicago during November, 1919, and the average retail prices of bacon in this country during the same period is, approximately, 18.5d. per lb.