§ 10. Lieut.-Colonel Kingsmillasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Denmark, in exporting 80,0000,000 Continental reputed pints of beer, has used 9,000 tons of barley; and whether, in view of the fact that the Combined Food Board allocated to Denmark 300 tons of grain, this amount had been returned to the Combined Food Board prior to Danish brewers being granted export facilities.
§ Mr. StracheyI think the hon. and gallant Member is misinformed: my in- 8 formation is that Denmark exported some 8 million—not 80 million—pints of beer during the first nine months of this year. On the other hand, during the same period, Denmark had a net export of grain, including some 19,000 tons of barley; the hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that this has been, and will be taken into account by the International Emergency Food Council when dealing with Denmark's grain requirements.
§ Lieut.-Colonel KingsmillMight I call the Minister's attention to the fact that I was not talking about the past nine months? I was referring to new export orders in my Question. Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my Question, as to whether the 300 tons of grain has, in fact, been returned?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot possibly answer Questions on Denmark's future exports of beer. That is not within my competence for one moment. As to the I.E.F.C.'s allocation of 300 tons of grain, there was an allocation of 3,000 tons of grain at an earlier period to Denmark; I do not know if the hon. and gallant Gentleman has that in mind.
§ Lieut.-Colonel KingsmillIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department gave the figure of 300 tons in replying to a Question some nine months ago?
§ Mr. StracheyI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in mind an allocation to Holland. They are different countries.