§ Lieut.-Colonel WHELERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received notice of various consignments of hard fruit, apples and pears, from Kent which were not delivered by the railway companies to the consignees during the last week in September, 1919, but were sold, at a great loss to the consignor, by order of the Food Ministry; whether he is aware that in one case the consignor has not even received an offer of compensation; and what action does he propose to take in these cases?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe fruit in question was held up on the railway in consequence of the strike of September, 1919, and, as delivery was impossible, was sold by the Ministry of Food acting as agent for the railway companies in order that it should not be wasted. Claims for compensation should be made to the railway companies concerned, but I am having inquiry made into the particular case referred to in the second part of the question.