§ Lieut.-Colonel Masonasked the Minister of Economic Warfare what proportion of seized contraband goods have been made available to the consumer up to date, and in what categories?
§ Mr. CrossGoods seized as prize can only be put into consumption after the Prize Court has decided that they were properly seized and has condemned them. Until condemnation the goods have to be kept "in specie" as the court may order their release. Sales, however, may be ordered by the court before condemnation if the goods are perishable or if the storage of the goods is likely to exceed their value, or if from their great bulk the storage might cause congestion in docks or warehouses.
The following quantities have up to the present been sold:
Tons. Iron ore … 81,150 Manganese ore … 30,300 Residue pyrites … 5,700 Bauxite … 27,300 Sulphur … 2,500 Phosphate rock … 29,350 Pulpwood (approx.) … 10,500 Palm oil … 3,500 Frozen beef … 734 Copra … 600 Maize … 481 Oranges (approx.) … 90 Calf skins (approx.) … 7 Wood oil … 20 Chrome ore … 500 Calcium tartrate (approx.) … 50 This amounts to two-fifths of the contraband seized which, up to the 2nd December inclusive, totalled 476,496 tons.