§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Food if it is proposed to establish free imports of bacon, ham, butter, cheese, lard, aid such like foods; whether time limits are to be fixed for the storage of food generally, with monthly statements of goods in cold and dry stores; and whether all old stores are being disposed of?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe general policy of the Ministry is to accelerate, as far as possible, the date at which all restrictions on imports of foodstuffs may be removed without considerable risk to supplies or prices. All restrictions on the importation of cheese were removed last spring. With regard to the second part of the question, I am not clear precisely what is in the mind of the hon. Member, but I may say that regular returns of foodstuffs in cold stores and other warehouses have been received by my Department throughout its existence. With regard to the last part of the question, stocks of perishable foodstuffs held by the Ministry are periodically examined by experts to ensure that any stocks which would otherwise be likely to deteriorate are promptly distributed.