HC Deb 25 February 1946 vol 419 cc1570-1
101. Major J. Morrison

asked the Minister of Food why published statistics of the world grain situation are confined to eight countries.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)

The statistics published in the White Paper "Statistics and Documents Relating to the World Grain Position" (Cmd.6737) covered those countries which are of particular importance to His Majesty's Government in the present crisis. Statistics of production in other countries are frequently published in the technical journals of the grain trade.

Major Morrison

Can the hon. Lady say if she has any statistics with regard to Russia?

Dr. Summerskill

That is not on the Question Paper and I would prefer the hon. Member to put it down.

Mr. E. P. Smith

Is it not a fact that there is not nearly sufficient statistical information on all subjects?

Dr. Summerskill

I would remind the hon. Member that there has been a certain amount of dislocation in the war zones of the world, and it would be wrong for us to rely on some of the tentative estimates that have been made.