§ 33 and 34. Mr. SAMUEL SAMUELasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) if it is the intention of the Government to provide steamers for the coming season for the transport of dates from the Persian Gulf to the United Kingdom or the Continent; is he aware that the shipping season commences at the end of September, and that it is important for the merchants to know what arrangements are being made on account of advances to the natives; and is he aware that the cost of packing is nearly 1½d. a lb. as against id. a lb. in normal times; (2) whether, in view of the shortage of tea and sugar in this country, he will consider the advisability of devoting the 26,000 tons of space which were last year devoted to the carriage of dates from the Persian Gulf to the transport of tea from Ceylon and India to the United Kingdom, or sugar from Java to the United Kingdom; and is he aware that sugar can be purchased to-day at about 12s. a cwt. in Java?
§ Mr. CLYNESI understand that the quantity of dates shipped last year from the Persian Gulf to the United Kingdom was approximately 11,400 tons. The fact that the cost of packing has materially increased will not be allowed to stand in the way of securing a limited quantity of next season's dates, if the necessary 1563 transport is available, and this will be decided in time to make the requisite arrangements. The paramount importance of essential foodstuffs is always borne in mind in settling subsidiary purchases.
§ Mr. SAMUELWho was it shipped the balance of the dates? Was it the military authorities, or what Department shipped the balance over and above the 11,000 tons?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have no knowledge of any balance being shipped other than the 5,000 tons.