§ 84 and 107. Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked (1) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he can give any information as to the reported undertaking to deliver 9,500 tons of wheat from England to Germany for cash; whether the exporters are the British Government or private dealers; what is the contract price per customary quarter of wheat; whether the wheat to be exported to Germany is British-grown wheat; if so, whether the British producer is to receive a controlled price considerably below the free market price for the benefit of German consumers; and whether the Minister of Agriculture, who recently warned the country of an approaching shortage of foodstuff, was consulted in regard to the transaction and gave it his approval;
1749 (2) the Minister of Food whether any engagement has been entered into with the German Food Minister for the supply by this country of wheat to Germany; if so, will he say what quantity has been promised to Germany and within what limit of time it is to be delivered; and whether the transaction is to be taken as indicating that there is no danger of shortage of wheat in this country, and that the recent warning to the contrary by the Minister of Agriculture may be disregarded?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson)I have been asked to reply. No wheat has been sold or promised by the United Kingdom to Germany, but in order to meet a serious emergency caused by short arrivals, His Majesty's Government agreed at the end of May to advance to Germany 9,800 tons of flour. This was shipped direct from West St. John to Hamburg, was paid for, and has already been replaced without inconvenience or loss to the British consumer. The remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise.