§ 58. Mr. Yorkasked the Minister of Food whether His Majesty's Government purchased all available supplies of maize from the Argentine during the year April, 1945, to March, 1946; or to what extent, and in favour of which countries, were purchases cut down by the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Strachey. No, Sir; it was not possible for us to buy all the Argentine's maize exports available between April, 1945, and March, 1946, for the United Kingdom was only one of several buyers. Exports of maize from Argentina to the United Kingdom during the period amounted to about 32 per cent. of the total quantity which, according to trade estimates, was exported. We had to buy in the open market, and I am satisfied that we got our fair share.
§ Mr. YorkCould the hon. Gentleman say exactly how this proportion was arrived at, by bargaining on the open market through the Combined Food Board, or in what manner?
§ Mr. StracheyIt was an open market transaction, and it was not governed by the Combined Food Board.