§ 59. Mr. GILBERTasked what arrange-merits have been made by the Food Controller with the American Food Controller for the delivery of food to this country; and whether orders placed in America are being delivered regularly and promptly?
Mr. CLINESBy arrangement with Mr. Hoover, the American Food Administrator, purchases of food for the Allies are made by joint purchasing organisations in America, and the prices of important cereals have been fixed. Further, by means of a co-ordination department, Mr. Hoover has arranged that as regards other important foodstuffs the Allies shall have the advantage of the same terms 1737 as to prices and delivery as the American Navy and Army. Mr. Hoover has also appealed to the American people to reduce their own consumption of food, so as to provide the great additional quantities which, owing to the failure of other sources of supply, the Allies require from the United States. That appeal, I am glad to say, is meeting with a splendid response, and the voluntary saving of the American people is providing food so urgently needed here. The recent severe weather conditions in America have considerably delayed both railway and overseas transportation. Every effort is being made by the United States Government to expedite delivery to Atlantic ports, and to mitigate the difficulties caused by the recent exceptional blizzards.