§ 39. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of food whether he is aware of the shortage of margarine in this country; whether he is aware of the quantity of premier jus, i.e., refined animal fat, one of the best materials or constituents for the making of margarine, and oleo oil that has accumulated and is awaiting shipment in the Argentine, and that about 8,000 tons per month of these materials could be shipped from the Argentine if shipping facilities were provided; whether he is aware that, by orders from one or other of the various Government Controllers, Directors, Commissions, or Committees, preference has been given to the shipment of cereals, cargoes of which have been sent to France; whether he is aware that protests and representations have been made for a considerable time past to the Board of Trade, to the Director of Oils and Fats, to the Shipping Controller, and to other Government Departments, with a view to permission being granted for shipment of this foodstuff, and that it was only on the 17th instant that permission was given to ship 3,000 tons of premier jus and oleo oil from Buenos Ayres to this country; and whether he can state which of these Government Departments, Commissions, or Controllers is responsible for the holding up of this article of food at a time when the country is short of it?
Mr. PARKERThe answer to the first four parts of the question is in the affirma- 1124 tive. The temporary cessation of imports of premier jus, to which the hon. Member refers, is due to the necessity of reserving freight space for other even more important commodities. I am not aware that any restriction has been placed by any other Government Department on the importation of foodstuffs for which priority has been granted to the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some portions of his reply are incorrect? Is he also aware that the real responsibility for the shortage of margarine in this country lies with the Ministry of Shipping through want of foresight?
Mr. PARKERI cannot reply for the Ministry of Shipping, but I will convey what the hon. Member says.
§ Mr. HOUSTONI will put down a question.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the hon. Gentleman say who decides the priority in respect of these shipments of different foodstuffs?
§ Mr. HOUSTONThe Ministry of Shipping.
Mr. PARKERThe Food Controller decides the priority in relation to the circumstances. I was assured this morning from the Food Controller's Department that in this particular matter they were obliged to give priority to linseed. Priority has been granted, however, for 14,000 tons of this particular commodity.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs this the decision of the Food Controller or of the War Cabinet, and is this War Cabinet decision owing to local representations affecting particular industries which are strongly represented here?
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas he anything to do with linseed?