§ 71. Mr. Willisasked the Minister o Food why the pulp formations used for the protection of eggs despatched in bulk are extracted and destroyed by whole salers before the return of the boxes on the instructions of his Department; and, in view of the shortage of this material if he will take steps to avoid this wastage.
§ Sir B. Smith:My Department has not given instructions for egg box fittings to be destroyed, but the re-use of fittings would require storage space which we are being pressed to release for other purposes. An undue amount of labour would also be entailed in the return, grading and reconditioning of the fittings. Whilst these factors necessitate the use of new fittings, there is no reason for used fitting to be wasted as traders should dispose of them through the salvage collection service for re-pulping.