HC Deb 01 May 1923 vol 163 cc1200-1W
Mr. MAXTON

asked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health the total quantity of fish, game, and other foodstuffs destroyed in Glasgow during the past 12 months as unfit for human consumption; is he aware that much of this waste was due to merchants holding up stocks because of lack of sale; and what remedy does he propose to prevent this destruction of food?

Captain ELLIOT

I am informed that the quantity of game and other miscellaneous foodstuffs destroyed in Glasgow during the past 12 months, exclusive of meat seized in the City, is negligible. The quantity of fruit destroyed in Glasgow during 1922 was 8 tons 13 cwts. The quantity of fish destroyed during the 12 months ended 31st March as being bad on arrival in Glasgow was 9 tons 16 cwts. 81 lbs. The, amount destroyed owing to deterioration in storage was 8 tons 12 cwts. 47 lbs. The amount destroyed owing to depreciation while being held over for sale was 54 tons 8 cwts. 50 lbs. The Scottish Board of Health are in formed that the proportion of fish held over for sale during a fortnight when records were kept was only 1.8 per cent. of the total supply, and that only 5 per cent. of this amount, or less than one-thousandth part of the supply, had to be destroyed. In these circumstances, Government action in the matter seems unnecessary.