Olive Oil (Hansard, 19 July 1944)

§ 52. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox
asked the Minister of Food if he is taking steps to obtain olive oil from Italy.

§ Colonel Llewellin
No, Sir; there is no surplus olive oil at present available from Italy.

§ Sir A. Knox
Cannot the Minister take the needs of the British householders into consideration, and bring some of this oil back, if possible?

§ Colonel Llewellin
I would, if I could get it.

§ Mr. Thorne
Is the Minister aware that it is impossible to get olive oil from the chemists unless one has a special certificate from a doctor?

§ Colonel Llewellin
That is quite right. We have enough olive oil in this country to meet requirements under medical certificates, but, unfortunately, no more.

§ Mr. Petherick
In view of the fact that the olive trees in Italy and North Africa are still producing as much oil as before, cannot the right hon. Gentleman try to get some from North Africa?

§ Colonel Llewellin
Italy used to import oil for her own needs. It is a question of shipping. If we could send oil from other places to Italy, we might get more olive oil out, but I am afraid it is not possible at the moment.

§ Sir A. Knox
Could not the consumer have priority?