§ 69. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Food how many tins of brisling, sild and sprats have been bought from Holland and Denmark in recent years; and how many tins he has left unsold.
§ Mr. WebbAbout 30 million tins. I am unable, for reasons of elementary commercial prudence, to give the figure of unsold stock.
§ 70. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Food how many tins of foreign brislings, sild and sprats his Department holds; what has been the cost of advertising these sprats; and how much public money has been lost upon 128W bulk purchase of foreign sprats in the last two years.
§ Mr. WebbAbout £10,000 was spent last year in advertising canned brisling, but this covered brisling generally and did not refer to foreign brisling. I cannot yet say what will be the ultimate financial outcome of these transactions; and in the meantime it would not serve the public interest if I were to give stock figures.