§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the request by retail butchers to be allowed to take part in the distribution of imported tinned meats, on the grounds that it would be a fairer method of distribution to the public; and whether this request is to be granted?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware of this request. At the suggestion of the National Federation of Meat Traders Associations the whole question is to be discussed at the next meeting of the Ministry's Consultative Conference for the Retail Meat Trade on 22nd October. As I stated in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 8th October, the retail butchers are at present the sole distributors of canned corned beef, mutton and pork and it is not proposed to alter this arrangement. The present request applies to imported canned meats other than these. Certain additional information is now being furnished to the Ministry with the help of the National Federation and further consideration will be given to the subject when this information is available.