§ 106. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Food from what countries he has imported sardines and the respective quantities; what is the maximum time he retains sardines in stock; what stock was held at the end of 1950; what is the current rate of release for distribution; and if he will distinguish in each answer sardines packed in olive oil.
§ Mr. WebbDuring the past three years sardines have been imported from the followng countries: French Morocco, 18,572 tons; Portugal, 10,606 tons; Spanish Morocco, 193 tons; Jugoslavia, 1,598 tons.
Those from Jugoslavia and Spanish Morocco were packed mainly in olive oil. Sardines are normally released during the year after they are packed, but sometimes they may be retained for a longer period. This does not affect quality. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the stocks held. Traders can now get all the sardines they want, and there is no fixed rate of release.