HC Deb 02 February 1944 vol 396 cc1269-70
46. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Food how many of the oranges lately imported from Spain have been or are about to be forwarded to Eire; and why they were not released for hospitals or for domestic consumption in this country.

49. Captain Ganunans

asked the Minister of Food why approximately 10,000 cases of oranges, which are being brought from Spain in British ships, are being allocated to jam manufacturers in Eire; and if the necessary arrangements could be made for their use in this country.

50. Mr. Molson

asked the Minister of Food why Seville oranges imported from Spain have been made available to Southern Eire; whether the benefit of specially low freights was passed on to the Irish purchasers; and whether any steps have been taken to ensure that the marmalade they manufacture will be re-exported to this country for the benefit of the British consumer.

52. Sir William Davison

asked the Minister of Food why approximately 5,000,000 oranges which could not be used by British marmalade manufacturers were supplied to Eire jam manufacturers; why a portion of this consignment was not made available to British housewives for making marmalade with their surplus sugar; whether the oranges supplied to Eire were brought from Spain to this country in British ships at special rates and are also being conveyed to Eire in British ships; and what payment is being received from Eire in respect of fruit and shipping respectively.

Colonel Llewellin

No oranges now being imported from Spain have been or are going to be sent to Eire. The other parts of the Questions do not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Driberg

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the decision to send these oranges to Eire was in fact taken in his Department and later countermanded as a result of Press publicity and the putting of Questions on the Order Paper?

Colonel Llewellin

No, it was not that way at all. There was an idea in my Department that that might be a good thing to do—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—but before it was published in the newspapers at all, it came to my notice and I thought differently.

Viscountess Astor

Could the man who had that idea be reprimanded?

Earl Winterton

May I ask whether my right hon. and gallant Friend will have regard to the rule that what goes on in a Department is not a matter about which a Minister can reply at Question Time? May I have an answer?

Colonel Llewellin

If I went beyond the bounds, I apologise to the House.

Sir W. Davison

How came it that such a very important matter as this was suggested, at a time when the whole feeling of the House and people in the country is very strong, and that it required my right hon. and gallant Friend's veto to stop it? Will the Minister answer that question?

Colonel Llewellin

I am, of course, fully responsible for what happens in my Department. I would have taken the responsibility if, afterwards, I had altered it the other way, and it had been done. I was explaining to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) how this actually occurred and I think we had better leave it there. I think the Departmental decision is now the right one.

Several Hon. Members rose

——

Mr. Speaker

I think these oranges are too explosive.