HC Deb 20 July 1938 vol 338 c2201
85. Mr. De Chair

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the essential commodities bought for Defence storage purposes were of homegrown stocks?

Mr. Cross

Part of the whale oil reserve was purchased from United Kingdom sources and part of the sugar reserve is home produced. I do not think it desirable to state the proportion in either case.

Mr. De Chair

If the Government are making purchases of essential commodities in the future would they consider buying a considerable quantity of mutton for cold storage or canning so that we may be able to fortify the present price level of mutton?