59. Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-Brownasked the Minister of Food how many carcases of meat have had to be condemned as unfit for human consumption owing to the "go-slow" tactics at Smithfield Market.
§ Mr. StracheyWhen delays in distributing fresh meat in London became inevitable, steps were taken to reduce the risk of losses by diverting home-produced supplies away from London. As a result, under five tons of meat were condemned.
60. Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-Brownasked the Minister of Food why the 1,100 Dutch sheep carcases specially ordered were sent to this country on or about 23rd September by a slow unrefrigerated ship; why they were not unloaded immediately on arrival; and as a result how many were condemned as unfit for human consumption.
§ Mr. StracheyThis meat was dispatched by the Dutch Government as part of the 2,500 tons of mutton and lamb which they hope to send us under a recent contract. This contract is not for frozen meat, but for fresh meat and represents a revival of the useful pre-war imports of fresh meat from Holland. The ship was not a slow one, and there was no delay in unloading, but about 50 tons were condemned. My Department and the Dutch Government are inquiring into the reasons for this.