Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 October 1949.
Mr Alfred Bossom
, Maidstone
12:00,
31 October 1949
asked the Minister of Food how many tons of imported Italian cheese were turned over in a mouldy condition to farmers to be used as pig food; and why such a condition was allowed to develop.
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
Only 3 tons 7 cwts. were sold in this way this year, representing about 0.08 per cent. of the total handled. All our imports from Italy were of fancy cheeses, which are liable to rapid deterioration, especially in hot weather.
Mr Alfred Bossom
, Maidstone
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, in the case of one farm only in my Division, no less than 2½ tons were delivered to a farmer who kept only 150 pigs, and can she tell us how much this cost the taxpayers?
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
I cannot give the amount without notice, but I wish to remind the hon. Member once again that this import represents 0.08 per cent. of the cheese handled. In view of the very hot weather and the reluctance of traders to deal with this highly perishable commodity, I think this is a very satisfactory answer.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
In view of the loss sustained in this and other purchases of food, will the Minister now stop bulk purchasing?
Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan
, Perth
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any report on the condition of the pigs?
Mr Alfred Bossom
, Maidstone
If these cheeses were of such a type, can the Parliamentary Secretary say why the boxes were not opened before they were delivered to the farmers?
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Perhaps the smell was too great.
Sir James Henderson-Stewart
, Fife Eastern
asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that 5½ tons of Camembert cheese was recently sold by the Edinburgh office of the Ministry of Food at £10 per ton for pig food on the grounds that the cheese was inedible; that, in fact, samples of the cheese have been found to be entirely edible; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this waste of food and public money.
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
About 5½ tons of Camembert cheese in store at Leith was sold for animal feeding at £10 per ton. Possibly not all of the cheese was inedible, but it had been found impossible to sell it through the ordinary trade channels and it was considered desirable to dispose of it on the best possible terms before it became a total loss.
Mr Michael Maitland Stewart
, Fulham East
Since the right hon. Lady agrees that not all the cheese was inedible, will she allow the person who has bought it and who, with others, thinks a large quantity of it is edible, to sell it?
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
I am not sure whether that is a practical proposition; perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me details.
Sir Edward Keeling
, Twickenham
Would the right hon. Lady agree that Camembert is often at its best at the very moment when many people find it uneatable?
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
I will remember that in future, and send the hon. Gentleman some of the deteriorated cheese.
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