§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Food if he can take steps to insure a reasonable and regular supply of Government controlled imported meat of good quality for the next few weeks, especially; is he aware that, in consequence of the very meagre supply of late, the importers of free or uncontrolled low-grade meat have unreasonably exploited the consumers and distributors of meat by charging the extreme top price for a very low-grade class of meat of which a great proportion is only fit for manufacturing purposes;and will he take steps to put this class of meat on a proper basis?
§ Mr. McCURDYAn adequate supply of Government imported meat is already assured. Since the distribution of im- 2413W ported meat ceased to be rationed, the responsibility of obtaining supplies through the ordinary trade channels has been placed upon the retailer, who should, in case of difficulty, communicate with the Australasian Meat Importers' Committee, 13–14, West Smithfield, E.C. So far as free imported meat is concerned, the only measure of control consists in the maintenance of maximum prices. If the seller asks the extreme top price for meat of an inferior quality, the intending buyers will probably decline to take it.
§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the conditional meat selling by importers who are sellers of Government controlled meat, and which has now become a scandal, even in some cases wholesalers insisting on canned corned beef being taken along with fresh meat; is he prepared to take drastic steps to put a stop to this practice; and why should wholesale Government agents be permitted to do what is looked on as a penal offence by retailers?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have discussed this matter with a deputation representing the retail trade, from whom I gathered that conditional sales were thought to be unavoidable so long as the price of Argentine beef remained controlled. I further understood that at a meeting of over 800 retailers a resolution in favour of decontrol was not carried. The real grievance of the retail trade appears to be that owing to the temporary withholding of home-killed beef, supplies of Argentine beef are insufficient to meet the demand. The Argentine meat importers agree with me that every effort should be made to satisfy the legitimate demands of the retail trade, and are cooperating with my advisers with a view to remedying the present difficulties.