GOVERNMENT RESERVES.

HC Deb 19 July 1939 vol 350 cc400-2

53. Mr. White

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government will extend its food reserves policy, which is at present designed merely to relieve temporary dislocation in the early period of a war, so as also to reduce the danger of a shortage of food which may result from a diminution of imports in a protracted war.

62. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lan- caster whether, having regard to the new menace to ships and docks of the air weapon, he is basing his food-reserves policy upon the possibility that imports will be considerably less than they were in the last war?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

In framing its policy in regard to reserves of all kinds, including foodstuffs, His Majesty's Government have taken into account all relevant considerations, including factors affecting the maintenance of our overseas trade in time of war.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not a fact that the Milk Marketing Board, the Bacon Marketing Board, and the Potato Marketing Board are still restricting output, and will they try to adapt themselves to an emergency procedure?

Sir Arthur Salter

May we understand from the answer that this is a definite extension of the Government's policy, which, as last pronounced by the right hon. Gentleman, was designed only to obtain reserves to meet the early dislocation of the first few weeks or months of war?

Mr. Morrison

I think there was some misunderstanding as to the earlier reference. What this answer says is that all these considerations, including those to which the hon. Member refers, are taken into account in framing our storage policy.

56. Mr. Parker

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to how many days of normal expenditure on food imports is the total spent by the Government upon food reserves in the last and current financial year, respectively, equivalent?

Mr. Morrison

The Government reserves are reserves of essential foodstuffs, and the particular commodities are selected having due regard to their relative cheapness and high food value. Normal imports include large quantities of food of high cost, much of which would not be essential in an emergency. I should not propose to offer a calculation, on the basis suggested by the hon. Member, which would, I think, be misleading as indication of the purpose or adequacy of the Government reserves.

Mr. Aneurin Bevan

In view of the importance of wheat as a staple food, and in view of the fact that wheat has reached so low a price, is it not desirable, both for economic and military reasons, that very large stocks of it should be accumulated in Great Britain?

Mr. Morrison

That matter is referred to later.

58. Mr. Loftus

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the total stocks in this country of the three foodstuffs purchased in the last financial year at a total cost of £7,500,000, namely, wheat, sugar, and whale oil, are in each case greater than the stocks at the same date in the last year before the Government purchases; and, if so, whether they are greater to the extent of the Government purchases?

Mr. Morrison

As regards wheat and whale oil, the answer to both parts of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. Commercial stocks of sugar have declined for reasons which have no connection with the extent of the Government reserve. Steps have already been taken to check this decline.

Mr. Loftus

Would my right hon. Friend reply to the last part of the question, as to whether the total excess of stocks is greater than the £7,500,000?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. If my hon. Friend looks at the answer, I think he will see that it is in the affirmative to both parts of his question.

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. Friend ponder over that part which relates to wheat? I think he should give wheat a little more thought?

63. Sir George Schuster

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether advantage will be taken of the present low price of wheat to add to the Government security wheat reserves?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. A substantial addition has recently been made to the Government's wheat reserve.

Mr. A. Bevan

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate the extent of the increase?

Mr. Morrison

No, it would not be in the public interest to indicate the extent, but it is substantial.

Mr. De la Bere

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he will extend the field to others, so as not to have a monopoly of the milling combines?