§ 28. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food what imports he received in return for the 9,500 tons of chocolate exported between 1st January and 31st October, 1947; and how many dollars did this export earn.
§ Mr. StracheyAll the money received for our exports of chocolate, as of our other exports, is used to pay for our imports of essential food and raw materials, and for other indispensable overseas payments. The number of dollars earned was 83,000.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes the Minister realise that this continual juggling and speculating with the nation's food is one of the main causes of shortage here? Can he answer that one?
§ 35. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Food whether he can make a statement in regard to his policy in regard to the export of sweets and how much sugar has been allocated for this purpose.
§ Mr. StracheyAs to the policy concerning the export of foodstuffs, including sweets, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on 14th July to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks). Approximately 10,000 tons of sugar, out of a total consumption of approximately 1½ million tons has been earmarked for sweets, chocolate and sugar confectionery for export in 1948.
§ Commander MaitlandCould the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of these exports are going to dollar countries and what proportion to sterling countries?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir, we cannot say in advance, but we strive to make the highest proportions go to dollar countries.
§ 41. Mr. Manningham-Bullerasked the Minister of Food why 2 cwt. of biscuits, 49 cwt. of chocolates, 3 tons of chocolate couverture, 128 cwt. of confectionery, 2,608 gallons of cordials, 5 cwt. of pea flour, 39 cwt. of canned and 156 cwt. of smoked fish, 1 cwt. of hops, 23 cwt. of jams and marmalade, 99 cwt. of pickles and sauces, 85 cwt. of tinned soup, and 14 cwt. of canned vegetables, imported into Kenya and Uganda in October, were exported from Britain.
§ Mr. StracheyWe have always exported limited quantities of processed foodstuffs to the Colonies. The Colonial Governments were requested in September to restrict imports from the United Kingdom to those judged essential.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerIs it not the case that sweets, jam and vegetables are produced in ample quantities in Kenya and Uganda for their own use? Is there any rationing of the articles mentioned in this Question in those Colonies, and is it not desirable that they should be retained in this country?
§ Mr. StracheyWe are striving to reduce this type of exports to the least possible amount, but I do not think we could ever get them down to nothing. We have urged upon the Colonial Governments to keep them on the lowest possible level.
§ Mr. BartlettIs my right hon. Friend aware that in these Colonies, and in Singapore and Hong Kong, he will find enormous quantities of products of this 1447 country, far greater than the Colonies need, and will he make a further effort to see that these quantities are reduced?
§ Mr. StracheyIf the hon. Member will notice the quantities stated in the Question they cannot be called enormous quantities.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he exercises any control over quantities of foodstuffs leaving this country?
§ Mr. StracheyWe do issue licences for these exports when the Colonial Governments assure us that they are necessary.
44. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food the quantities of biscuits and chocolate, respectively, exported to the United States, Belgium, Switzerland and Egypt, as from 1st January, 1947, to 30th November, 1947.
§ Mr. StracheyI regret that this information is not yet available for the month of November. With permission I will circulate details down to the end of October in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. De la BèreIn view of the fact that these foodstuffs are urgently required at home, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is his ambition to perpetuate confusion and chaos? Is it not utterly useless to send abroad foodstuffs which are required at home, while every time one asks for figures one is told that the figures are unavailable?
§ Mr. StracheyThe figures are fully available. They will be found in HANSARD.
Mr. TollyCan my right hon. Friend say why these commodities are sent abroad when we need them so badly at home?
§ Mr. StracheyI have already explained that matter before, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the explanation. It is because we get very much more dollars for the food we export and with those dollars are able to buy larger quantities of food that we need in this country.
§ Mr. J. S. C. ReidAre we getting dollars for food which goes to Belgium or Egypt?
§ Mr. StracheyThe right hon. and learned Gentleman has not seen the nature of my reply, and what quantities go to those countries. Moreover, those are the countries mentioned in the question.
§ Following is the information:
§ The following quantities of biscuits and chocolate (namely, miscellaneous preparations including chocolate confectionery and moulded chocolate) were exported during the period 1st January to 31st October, 1947.
| —— | Biscuits | Chocolate and Chocolate Confectionery | |
| tons. | cwt. | ||
| United States | … | 76 | 1 |
| Belgium | … | 56 | 1,345 |
| Switzerland | … | 5 | 220 |
| Egypt | … | 38 | 7,076 |