§ 43. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many, in number and in weight, imported tins of corned beef are now in store in Britain under his control or licence; where they are; where they came from; what he plans to do with them; and how he plans to ensure that they are fit for human consumption.
§ Mr. John MackieI must withhold details of the extent and location of the Government stocks which are maintained for defence purposes. They come from various Commonwealth and South American countries, and are regularly examined and sampled by a firm of independent surveyors. They will continue to be released for peace-time consumption only to the limited extent necessary to turn over stocks, and of course nothing which is unfit will be released. In particular, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland informed the hon. and learned Member on 17th December, none of the small part of the stockpile which, in the light of the Milne Report, might be unsafe will be released until it has been subjected to a safe method of processing.