§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Food what is the object in purchasing such large quantities of Patagonian mutton and lamb, seeing that our colonies have still such large stocks on hand waiting to be shipped, that further stocks are continually being accumulated, and that the colonial cold stores are filled in consequence; what amount of colonial mutton and lamb remain under control; and at what rate is it being disposed of?
1942W
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have been asked to reply. The final Patagonian contract for mutton and lamb ends with this season's output,i.e., about 30th April. The Dominion contracts expire, in the case of New Zealand, on the 30th June next; in the case of Australia, three months after the legal termination of the War. The purpose of all contracts for meat entered into by the Government has been to secure adequate supplies of meat for this country at the cheapest rates compatible with the maintenance of the meat producing industry in Great Britain and Ireland. The latest official figures as to stocks of mutton and lamb show that on February 14th there were about 92,000 tons in cold store in the United Kingdom, and that there were 110,500 tons awaiting shipment in New Zealand and about 28,000 tons in Australia, at the end of January. The arrivals in the United Kingdom in January were particularly heavy, much greater than in either of the two preceding months, and have materially contributed to the present accumulation. Since the price of imported meat was reduced in November, there has been a marked increase in the consumption, and I am confident that that increase will be accelerated by the further reduction in the price of mutton lately announced.