§ 46. Mr. de ROTHSCHILDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to publish the report of the Rome Wheat Conference; whether the question of imports boards was discussed by this conference; whether the subject was introduced by British delegates; and what attitude was adopted towards it by the conference?
§ Dr. ADDISONAs the answer is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer.
§ As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on the 16th April last.
The subject of import organisations was not introduced into the discussions of the Preparatory Wheat Conference until a very late stage in the proceedings, when a draft resolution to the following effect was submitted to the Committee on Production and Trade by the Chairman:At the same time the conference urgently recommends importing countries to endeavour to organise and concentrate the purchase of imported wheats. This should be carried out in the form most suited to the particular circumstances obtaining in each country; its essential object should be the creation of import organisations capable of negotiating, through an international organisation, with the export organisations.
Having regard to the fact that the subject had not been discussed by the committee, and because the terms of the draft resolution were too categorical, the resolution on the subject, which was finally adopted by the Plenary Conference, was as follows:At the same time the Conference recommends purchasers in importing countries, where the need is felt, to endeavour to organise the purchase of imported wheats. This can he carried out whatever form it takes, according to the particular situation in each country.