§ Mr. REMERasked the Minister of Food how much American bacon has been sold in England, Scotland, and Wales during the month of May; and whether traders are unable to place American bacon bought by the Government owing to the public abhorrence of the quality?
§ Mr. McCURDYIt is not possible to state accurately how much American bacon was sold in England, Scotland, and Wales during the month of May, as this would involve a costly statistical investigation of wholesale and retail stocks throughout the country at the beginning and end of the month, but an approximate figure would be 19,000 tons. The consumption of American bacon during May was abnormally low, but this was due to the large quantities of English and Irish bacon which for special causes were available during that month, and of Danish bacon, of which the Ministry have purchased the whole exportable surplus. I may add that the consumption of American bacon greatly exceeds the pre-War consumption, and this would not seem to indicate that there is the public abhorrence of this bacon suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. REMERasked the Minister of Food whether they have ceased buying operations of American bacon; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that no one will buy the product now here, will he give instructions to stop all buying operations and give instructions to sell the bacon already bought and stored in America?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As American bacon represents at present the bulk of the bacon consumed in this country, the second part of the question does not arise. So far from it being the fact that no one will buy American 277W bacon here, as stated by the hon. Member, the consumption of this bacon is greatly in excess of the pre-War consumption.