§ 51. Sir P. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken following upon the mission to the United States of America of Mr. L. F. Easter-brook, of the British Ministry of Agriculture; and whether British Empire and American agricultural producers will now 417 meet to assess the productive capacities of each country and to dovetail surpluses and deficiencies with a view to feeding the hungry peoples of the world immediately after the war and ensuring a reasonably profitable basis for agriculture in future years?
Mr. HudsonThe objects of Mr. Easter-brook's recent tour were to explain to farmers in the United States the part which farmers here are playing in the war effort and to promote between agriculturists in the two countries a mutual understanding of their respective problems. In furtherance of these objects, arrangements have now been made to establish an Anglo-American Agricultural News Service. The second part of the Question raises wide issues with which it is not possible to deal within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary Question.
§ Sir P. HurdWhen shall we have an opportunity to deal with them?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHas the Minister seen the very important speech made on this matter by Mr. Henry Morgenthau and other members of President Roosevelt's Administration, and will the Government give very sympathetic consideration to Sir John Orr's proposal that an adequate diet for maximum health should be taken as the basis of economic reconstruction?
Mr. HudsonThat is one of the factors which, no doubt, will be taken into account, but I can speak only as Minister of Agriculture.