§ 6. Mr. MILLSasked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of foodstuffs, including bacon, still remain in possession of the Government; and whether traders are refusing to purchase at the price asked for these stocks?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe stocks of foodstuffs remaining in possession of the Government amount to between 1,400,000 and 1,500,000 tons. Arrangements made for the liquidation of these stocks provide for their absorption by the trade on satisfactory terms and generally at stated intervals. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. MILLSCan the hon Gentleman give the House any indication of the reasons for the disinclination of the trade to buy of the Government?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI do not think there is any disinclination.
Major BARNESIn view of the statement just made that the recent increase in price is due to the insufficiency of supply, will the Government reconsider the question of releasing the bacon they have in stock so as to help bring prices down?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEReally the two questions do not relate to the same matter. I do not think there are large stocks of bacon. My statement referred to the entire stocks of food, whereas the hon. Gentleman's question was as to one particular commodity which comes from America.
§ Mr. MARSHALL STEVENSDo these stocks include wheat? Cannot the hon. Gentleman give a list of the commodities?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe list does include wheat.