§ 47. Mr. W. NICHOLSONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Food Controller's Department refuse to sell maize to anyone wishing to purchase it unless the purchaser will take in addition 10 per cent. of the quantity in foreign beans; whether this action is taken in consequence of an unfortunate transaction in beans by the Food Controller; and whether a practice which has been made a criminal offence in the case of a private trader will cease to have a place in the dealings of a public Department?
§ The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. G. H. Roberts)I have been asked to reply. The present position was fully stated in the 1579 answer given on 17th February to the hon. Member for East Sussex. I may add, however, that I anticipate that it may be possible for the arrangement of which the hon. Member complains to be withdrawn at an early date, and I hope to be able to make an announcement very shortly on the subject.