§ Captain Profumoasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the difficulties for retailers and disappointment to the public in general arising from the premature announcement of large overseas purchases of food which may not always reach this country, he will intimate to Dominion and foreign Governments which are sending these foods to us the appreciation that would be felt in this country if such announcements were delayed until the consignments had in fact reached this country?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir. I have no reason to think that the published contract figures are not a reasonable indication of quantities of food which will in fact reach these shores, and in many cases the size of the contracts is a matter for congratulation on the part of the supplying countries, particularly the Dominions.