It was while Googling around more generally on the subject of post war austerity that I came across 4 Parliamentary Questions on the topic – from different MPs to different government departments, so it was not just 1 MP with a bee in his bonnet.
What was that all about – the kind of question I cannot resist.
The Times Archive provided more details.
A Polish/British trade treaty had been signed in January 1949 “in spite of her strong ties to Soviet Russia.” Among other things, this would supply Polish pigs, cattle, bacon, eggs, tinned meat & geese to alleviate the continuing food shortage here.
However concerns about fowl pest had led to the issue of the Poultry (carcasses) Importation Order & licences for Polish geese (though not chickens) were refused. This led to anxiety about a shortage of geese for the traditional English Christmas dinner.
Turkey had not yet become the first choice for every family, but by Christmas 1952 The Times could report that turkey (& even chicken) were threatening the popularity of goose for Christmas. Smaller turkeys – those weighing less than 16 lbs - were finding an easier market that year, & in November the new truly small turkey – weighing in at about 6 lbs – “in which breeders hope to create a constant market” had attracted much attention at the annual National Poultry Event.
Polish geese had eventually been allowed in, but the story did not have a happy ending. Cold storage costs of £25,600 together with import duties (payable to the Exchequer) of £86,000 contributed to a loss of £119,000 for the Ministry of Food on the deal in the first year, & there were complaints that many people found them inedible because the British housewife did not like having her Polish geese stored for so long
Hansard links
