HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1226-7
12. Mr. Hammersley

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any official information on the plans of the Commodity Credit Corporation of the U.S.A. to provide Government subsidies to increase exports from the U.S.A.

Mr. Dalton

Under the United States Surplus War Property Act, which became law last month, authority is given to the Commodity Credit Corporation to sell for export surplus farm commodities at competitive world prices. No details of the Corporation's plans have yet been published.

Mr. Hammersley

Is the House to understand from that that there are not to be any subsidies in connection with these exports of commodities?

Mr. Dalton

I have given the terms of the United States law, which was passed only last month. The farm products, according to our understanding, concern principally raw cotton and wheat. So far, there is no evidence of any intention to subsidise manufactured articles. The subsidisation of farm products may not be to our disadvantage.

Mr. Hammersley

Is the House to understand that there is no subsidy of raw cotton?

Mr. Dalton

The House is to understand exactly what I have, I hope, clearly stated.