§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the very low grade of Brazilian beef now being supplied to the retailers of meat for the use of the consuming public, and by whose orders is this class of beef being charged at the top price seeing that much of it is unsale- 1287W able on account of its repulsive appearance; is he prepared to arrange that this poor class of meat should be disposed of for manufacturing purposes; and is he aware that his agents are making conditions compelling the buyer of decent beef to take at the same deal fat old ram sheep which in some shops are unsaleable, and which prior to control were melted for tallow?
§ Mr. MCCURDYThe Brazilian beef now being offered on the market is imported on private account and not by the Ministry of Food, and importers are en titled to make what price they can for it, subject to the maximum prices prescribed for imported beef at the time of sale. There is no reason why retailers should purchase this beef if they do not wish to do so, or pay more than they regard as its value. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.