HC Deb 11 November 1948 vol 457 c210W
Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Food why the proportion of chilled meat imports has declined so much as compared with pre-war, thus making the bulk of our imported meat less palatable than it need be.

Mr. Strachey

Because of seasonal fluctuations in supply and the continuing shortage of meat, stocks of imported meat have to be carried in cold store for fairly long periods in order that supplies may be spread to maintain a reasonably constant ration level. Chilled beef cannot be stored in this way, but must be distributed immediately on arrival in this country, and for this reason we have to import our supplies as frozen meat.