HC Deb 20 May 1946 vol 423 cc18-20
45. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Prime Minister if he has any report to make upon the talks now taking place between the Lord President of the Council and the U.S. Government; and whether these talks are confined to problems of food or if they include problems connected with the proposed U.S. loan to this country.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council will be making a statement on his return. With regard to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend's Mission relates only to the food situation.

Mr. Stewart

Can the Prime Minister tell the House whether the result of the Lord President's visit is to be the subject of conversations with the Dominion Prime Ministers?

The Prime Minister

I dare say it will arise, but at the present moment my right hon. Friend is in Canada discussing the matter.

Sir T. Moore

May we assume that the right hon. Gentleman still in Canada will on his return be appointed as Minister of Food in a reshuffle?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

48. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give time for a discussion on the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham, relating to International Arrangements for Allocation of Food.

[That this House notes with grave concern the sacrifices and continued privations being inflicted upon the peoples of Great Britain in essential foodstuffs and fuel, through the allocations and distribution thereof arranged through the Combined Food Board, the European Coal Organisation and U.N.R.R.A.: is of the opinion that the sacrifices and reductions asked from this country are disproportionate, by reason of the fact that, in the figures and statistics on which the allocations are based, Great Britain is the only country producing actual facts and figures, whilst all other countries, through lack of efficient rationing and kindred organisation, only submit estimates which certainly do not minimise requirements; therefore, urges that His Majesty's Ministers and their representatives be instructed that whilst every sympathy he shown to the conditions and possible sufferings of other peoples, their paramount duty is to look after the necessities and well being of the people of this country, and that therefore they should take steps to ensure that the present sacrifices be not continued, and that no further sacrifices be made until all other countries have proved by their organisation of rationing and distribution that the figures and statistics on which the Combined Food Board, the European Coal Organisation and U.N.R.R.A. fix their allocations are as accurate in all respects as those submitted by Great Britain.]

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

I have been asked to reply. I regret that I cannot afford a special opportunity for the consideration of the hon. Member's Motion. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already informed the House that the Lord President of the Council will be making a statement on the Washington talks on his return.

Mr. De la Bère

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Motion relates to the allocation of food, which affects the interests of all the people of this country, and why is it that there is countless time for unnecessary theory and never time for anything for the people of this country?

Mr. Greenwood

I think my hon. Friend is rather confusing two issues. The question of allocation of foodstuffs was obviously under consideration in Washington talks. I would say that my hon. Friend had better use his persuasive powers after the statement is made by the Lord President of the Council, if he then wishes a Debate. It is clearly absurd to offer a Debate on a question which vitally affects the discussions which have been going on, and which are going on today in Canada, I understand, before those discussions are concluded.

Mr. Eden

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when it is expected the Lord President of the Council will be able to make a statement?

Mr. Greenwood

I cannot be quite certain—one knows that these overseas discussions often take longer than we assume —but I should hope within the next few days, and certainly this week.