HC Deb 23 February 1943 vol 387 cc41-2W
Mr. Isaacs

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a high percentage, in one case as high as 20 per cent., of the imported canned fruit just released for sale in the Southwark area is unsaleable and unfit for consumption; whether the goods were imported in that condition or whether it is due to too lengthy storage; whether steps can be taken to prevent similar wastage of shipping and transport, either due to loading unsaleable goods or holding them until they become unsaleable, and also the wastage of labour involved through retailers having to report the unfit food to the food officer and the necessary transactions in re-issuing points?

Mr. Mabane

No complaints have been received by the Ministry of any undue proportion of the imported canned fruit just released for sale being unsaleable or unfit for consumption. It is possible that during transit or storage a certain small amount of deterioration would occur, but this is inevitable, in view of the fact that stocks of such goods as canned fruit, which are packed seasonably, must be accumulated to reach a certain figure before a national distribution is possible. I am satisfied, however, that the percentage of unsaleable or unfit canned fruit of the total quantity just released, has been negligible. As no further importations of canned fruit are likely in the near future, the second part of the Question does not arise.

Sir R. Ross

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that on the release of tinned fruit, which was recently announced, only a small quantity of this commodity was allotted to Londonderry City and that some shops only received three tins; and whether he is satisfied that Northern Ireland was fairly treated in this allocation?

Mr. Mabane

I am not aware of any reason why Londonderry City should not have received its due proportion of the canned fruit just released, and I am satisfied that Northern Ireland was fairly treated in this allocation. The Ministry allocated and delivered to Northern Ireland its fair proportion of the total allocation of the imported canned fruit owned by the Ministry. I would point out that the total quantity available was very small, particularly in comparison with pre-war importations, and where only a few tins were received by certain shops, this would indicate that every effort was made on the part of traders to see that the small quantity available was distributed as equitably as possible.