§ 38. Mr. LOUGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether on the 28th January and the 5th February a promise was given to the House that 3,000,000 lbs. of China tea would be imported on behalf of the Ministry, which would be sold at prices to be later fixed; and, seeing that nearly six months has elapsed since this undertaking was given, whether he can now state that there is any prospect of its being fulfilled?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)No, Sir. My statement was that tea would be bought in China on behalf of the Ministry of Food for importation to the United Kingdom in neutral tonnage, and that if sufficient tonnage were available it was intended to purchase 3,000,000 lbs. in the present year. Some China tea has been bought, and is at present on passage to the United Kingdom, but, in view of the shortage of available tonnage, no considerable quantity is likely to be distributed for some months.
§ Mr. LOUGHAs the right hon. Gentleman finds so much difficulty in bringing in China tea, will be allow the merchants to bring it in?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat is a matter for argument.