§ 55. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Food whether he has considered the statement made by the chairman of the New Zealand Dairy Board to the effect that there is no shortage of cheese in this country; and what action he is taking to inform New Zealand of the facts.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)Yes, Sir. We asked for an elucidation from the New Zealand Government and it turns out that Mr Hale's remarks were part of a statement made to the Dominion Dairy Conference. He was endeavouring to emphasise the importance of preventing 616 any decrease in butter production in favour of cheese, which is in line with Ministry of Food policy. The New Zealand authorities however, are fully aware that we need as much cheese as they can send us without diminishing their butter shipments.
§ Mr. WalkdenWill the Minister please inform, or promise to inform, Mr. LaGuardia that the one country in Europe where cheese is not rationed and is in plentiful supply is Czechoslovakia—not Britain?
§ Mr. StracheyI will look into that.