50. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food with reference to New Zealand providing 10,000,000 Ib. of butter to supply the U.S. Forces in the Pacific during the next six months, how much of the 10,000,000 lb. of fat, particularly lard, to replace the above mentioned 10,000,000 lb. from New Zealand would normally have come to this country without prejudice to the exchange arrangement above mentioned.
Mr. StraeheyI would like to repeat what I said in reply to the question by the hon. Member for Northern Dorset (Mr. Byers) on 26th June, namely, that the United States authorities have undertaken to replace the butter released by New Zealand in full with ân equivalent quantity of fats from their own sources.
Mr. De la BèreBut surely the right hon. Gentleman knows just as well as I do—and I am well informed—that both lard and butter came over here normally and, therefore, they are really not doing anything to replace that amount, and the present figures are quite misleading in this matter?
Mr. StraeheyI must contest the statement of the hon. Gentleman that he is well informed because, of course, some quantities of other fats have been received from the United States but an additional quantity will be received in replacement of this amount.