Edible Tallow

Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 November 1949.

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Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely 12:00, 14 November 1949

asked the Minister of Food (1) how many tons of edible tallow of all grades were imported in the period 1st January, 1949, to 1st October; how much was later resold for non-edible purposes; and what were the purchase and re-selling prices;

(2) how many tons of edible tallow of all grades have been imported since 1st January, 1949; what were the countries of origin; how much has been bought since devaluation; and where these purchases were made.

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

Eleven thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven tons of edible tallow were imported between 1st January and 30th September, 1949, the latest available date, from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Uruguay. Since devaluation my Department has signed new contracts with Australia and New Zealand for one year from 1st October continuing the arrangements under which we buy the whole of their exportable surplus of tallow. So far this year no edible tallow has been sold for non-edible uses, but any tallow not fit for edible use would be sold at my Department's published selling prices for technical tallow. I am not prepared to disclose the purchase prices of particular consignments.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the 1,500 tons of edible tallow imported from the Argentine in February has not yet been disposed of, or has been found to have gone rancid, and what is the loss expected to be?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

I could not agree that that particular consignment has gone rancid. Some may be used for technical purposes.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

What did the right hon. Gentleman mean when he told me on 7th November that the price had been changed, because there would be no loss on the re-sale? Surely if the price is reduced, there must be a loss on re-sale?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

I am afraid I have not followed the last point made by the hon. Member. Perhaps he will put down a Question on it.

Photo of Mr Robin Turton Mr Robin Turton , Thirsk and Malton

How much has gone rancid?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

None has gone rancid at present. Some may be used for soap making rather than for the fat ration or for lard, but that process is one which goes on every year.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

Does the Minister, then, deny that fat which has gone rancid has been offered to soap makers who say that they can do nothing with it?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

No, Sir. Tallow which is no longer fit on arrival for edible uses may be used for non-edible uses.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

asked the Minister of Food what was the cause of the deterioration of edible mutton tallow from New Zealand during the summer; how much was involved; what has now become of it; and what was the purchase and selling price of it.

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

The arrival from New Zealand of some edible mutton tallow of low keeping quality coincided with peak supplies of home-produced animal fat, when the use of imported tallow is seasonally low. So far 463 tons of mutton tallow from New Zealand have been set aside and will be offered for technical purposes at the Ministry's published prices. I am not prepared to disclose our purchase prices.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that this fat went bad because it was landed on the quay and left there unstored for a considerable period of time, and that that coincided with the dock strike?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

I have no information to that effect.

Photo of Captain Harry Crookshank Captain Harry Crookshank , Gainsborough

What on earth does the right hon. Gentleman mean when he keeps repeating that it is "used for technical purposes"?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee

It is used for making soap.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.