§ 88. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what types of foodstuffs have been stored for or on behalf of his Department for possible contingencies for over five years; how long each type has been in store; and what steps he takes to ensure that the replacement of stocks is carried out often enough to ensure that the condition of foodstuffs is reasonably good when reaching the public.
§ Mr. SoamesIt has not been the practice, in the interests of national security, to give the information asked for in the first part of the Question.
All stocks, both under and over five years of age, which are turned over with the trade and which may subsequently reach the public are regularly inspected and sampled to ensure that they are in good condition.
§ Mrs. Hartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the stocks of food held by his Department, together with their dates of origin.
§ Mr. SoamesIt has not been the practice in the interests of national security to give such information as is asked for by the hon. Member about the strategic food reserves held by the Government.
So far as stocks of canned corned beef are concerned I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3rd June to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton).