HC Deb 13 March 1946 vol 420 cc1100-2
63. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the confusion felt in Australia on account of the conflicting announcements of his Department regarding the need for additional food supplies from Australia; and if he will make a clear statement indicating the needs of this country and the machinery agreed between his Department and the Australian Government for the collection and despatch of food supplies from Australia.

Dr. Summerskill

As the reply is rather lengthy I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

Could the hon. Lady now, so as to relieve anxieties, indicate that really effective steps are taken so that people may make their gifts and be assured that they reach this country?

Dr. Summerskill

I can assure the hon. Member that we are in the closest touch with the Australian representatives in this country. I have given this long statement because he asked for a clear statement, and I thought he would like to have the details. I think he will be satisfied that we are in touch with Australia, and that Australia is satisfied with the contact.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not a fact that the Combined Food Board allocates all the food and that, therefore, no matter how generous the Australians are—and they are wonderfully generous—we get no additional food?

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Member has overlooked the fact that the Combined Food Board is not a supernational State. It can allocate food but it cannot direct food. It may allocate an amount of food, but if that food is not there to purchase, we cannot purchase it. If the Australians happened to have a surplus amount they would be in a position to give us the food to purchase which has been allocated.

Mr. De la Bère

May- we thank them for their wonderful generosity?

Following is the answer: From time to time announcements from the Ministry of Food have made it clear that the United Kingdom has undertaken to purchase and to ship the utmost supplies which the Australian Government can offer of butter, cheese, milk powder, condensed milk, tallow, wheat, flour, rice, meat, eggs, sugar and dried fruits. The need for these foodstuffs is now greater than ever and we shall appreciate to the full any further help rendered from Australia. Most of the foodstuffs are needed to maintain the rations in the United Kingdom, but certain supplies, including particularly wheat, flour, rice and condensed milk must be used to relieve distress in those British Commonwealth territories such as India, Ceylon and Malaya which are relatively near to Australia. Sugar is in a similar position. Additional supplies can make their greatest contribution to the United Kingdom and to United Kingdom responsibilities if they are used with greatest possible shipping economy. In this way food supplies from Canada, the United States and the West Indies which might otherwise have to be shipped great distances are released for the United Kingdom and Europe. The Commonwealth Government assesses the quantity of the foodstuffsmentioned above which are available for export from Australia and, in general, sells the produce direct to the Ministry of Food. The United Kingdom Government is responsible for shipping the supplies destined for the United Kingdom.

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