HC Deb 14 April 1943 vol 388 cc1217-8
60. Major Lyons

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, relative to a crop of 95 acres of flatpole cabbage in Devonshire, whether he will now identify the third party to whom sale is alleged to have been effected; and whether, in view of recent statements of Messrs. Cook, Sidebottom, Bowden and Tugsley as to 64 acres and Mr. Smaldon as to 31 acres, that no such sale ever took place, he will make a further statement and fresh inquiry?

Mr. Mabane

No recent statements by Messrs. Smaldon, Cook, Sidebottom, Bowden and Tugsley have been brought to my notice, and in any case it would not appear that the nature of any arrangements between these growers and a third party is a matter in which my Department has any jurisdiction.

Major Lyons

In view of the fact that I have a signed statement from these gentlemen saying that the information that the hon. Gentleman gave to the House last week is quite inaccurate, will he now review the matter in the light of this statement?

Mr. Mabane

No, Sir. I do not think my statement of last week was inaccurate.

Major Lyons

But in view of the fact that I have a signed statement from these gentlemen, showing that the hon. Gentle- man's information was inaccurate, will he look into it again and see what the facts really are?

Mr. Mabane

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me see the signed statement.

Mr. E. Walkden

Is it not true that the mild winter has largely accounted for the argument that has cropped up week by week regarding cabbages?