§ 74. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Food what surplus supplies of wheat or other grain are now available in Ethiopia; and what steps are being taken for securing such supplies for Great Britain or for use by U.N.R.R.A. in Central Europe.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe total surplus of Ethiopian cereals available for export this year is not likely to exceed the requirements of neighbouring territories. No cereals from Ethiopia would therefore be available from this source for U.N.R.R.A or this country.
§ Mr. FreemanIs it not a fact that we discontinued purchasing wheat from Ethiopia in 1944, and is not this the main reason for the difficulties in obtaining supplies now?
§ Dr. SummerskillI would remind my hon. Friend that the wheat surplus last year was used for surrounding countries, and, furthermore, whether we can bring wheat from Ethiopia is limited by the capacity of the railway running from Addis Ababa to Djibouti.