§ 76. Mr. LORT-WILLIAMSasked the Food Controller whether the importation of rice is still controlled; whether only limited quantities are being issued to the millers for the purpose of polishing and distributing to the retail trade; whether, in consequence, rice mills are for many weeks or months together at a standstill; whether he is aware that Messrs. Car-butts, in Bermondsey, have been prevented from fulfilling their promises to take back ex-soldiers owing to the fact that their machinery has been idle for months; whether he is aware that this is causing grave discontent in the neighbour- 1677 hood and that the warehouses of this firm are now packed with Government rice; whether the Government refuse to issue this rice even for the purpose of polishing, which would keep the mill going, give employment, and preserve the rice; whether he is aware that this rice is full of maggot and weevil and fast going to waste owing to the fact that it is not polished or cleaned; and whether he will release this rice if only for the purpose of polishing and cleaning?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAs the answer is somewhat lengthy, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The following is the answer prepared: The directions of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies with regard to the importation of rice were withdrawn as from 15th April, 1919. In view, however, of the strictly limited quantity of Burma rice of the new crop that, in the opinion of the Indian Government, would be available for shipment to this country, the Royal Commission, at the request of the Food Controller, agreed in February last to purchase from the agents of the Burmese Rice Commissioner a quantity not exceeding 50,000 tons to be shipped during the first quarter of this year. In order to prevent the raising of the retail price to the consumer in this country to a figure corresponding to the cost price of this purchase, the Royal Commission arranged to pool with it their remaining stocks of old crop rice and to sell at an average price. The question of the proportions in which the available supplies of Burma rice should be allocated between the various sections of the trade was referred to an Advisory Committee on which all the interests affected were represented. Considerable supplies are now available, and are being offered freely in accordance with the unanimous recommendation of that Committee. No limitation has been placed upon the quantity of rice, other than Burma rice, that millers or any other section of the trade may purchase, and the Food Controller is therefore unable to admit that any under-employment that may at present exist through mills working short-time arises in any way as a consequence of Government action. The Burma rice at present held for the account of the Royal Commission by Messrs. Carbutt is stored by them in their capacity as ware- 1678 housemen and not as millers. This is, moreover, new crop rice which has only arrived during the last few weeks. This quantity, amounting approximately to 7,000 tons, has been inspected, is in perfect condition, and does not need polishing or cleaning. Any such treatment would, in fact, merely involve unnecessary expense. The only remaining stock of old crop Burma rice held in London by the Royal Commission is 63 tons. In addition, there are stored at Messrs. Carbutt's premises 49 tons 14 cwts., which consists of rice meal, sea water damaged, loose collected, and sweepings.