§ 57. Mr. MACQU1STENasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he was aware that the 896 grain harvest of South Russia was at least 40 per cent, above the average, and that about 1,000,000 tons of grain were available for shipment from Black Sea ports; that the importation of even a portion of this surplus would render unnecessary any payment of bread subsidy; and whether he would sell the various Army stores and salvage from the battlefields of France and Flanders for what the French and Belgian Governments would give for them, thereby saving the huge cost of salvage, and use the considerable shipping required for the shipment thereof to this country for the importation of grain from the Black Sea ports?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government quite realise the importance of having this grain made available, if possible, and this is one of the objects of the Mission of my hon. Friend the Member for Camlachie. As regards the Army stores in France and Flanders, the Ministry is disposing of them on the business principle of securing the largest return to the Treasury.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the Disposal Board taking into consideration, not the best price, but whether the ships can be used for better purposes, and so balance the one against the other?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, that is clearly, and to my knowledge, being taken into consideration by them. In other words, it is the net result.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm the figure of 1,000,000 tons of grain being available for shipment from Black Sea ports?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am sorry to say it is not available for shipment. As a matter of fact, some ships have been there and returned without cargoes. Our information is that there is a very large amount of grain, if it could be moved.