HC Deb 17 February 1947 vol 433 cc769-70
4. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Food why the recent change was made in the procedure for the purchase of oils and fats, which permits countries represented on the International Emergency Food Council to make their own direr purchases.

Mr. Strachey

The unified buying of oils and fats has been dropped on the recommendation of a majority of members of the Oils, Fats and Oilcake Committee of the International Emergency Food Council.

Mr. Bossom

Is the Minister aware that this country has not got its fair share, with the result that the housing policy of the country is not going ahead as it should? We are lacking paint, and if we bought more oil, we should have more paint with which to paint the houses.

Mr. Strachey

It is interesting that the hon. Gentleman should take that view, and I consider that the largest possible share for this country should be contended for, but we have just had somewhat severe criticism from the Secretary of the International Emergency Food Council for obtaining in the Argentine what he considers to be an undue share of these supplies.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Will the right hon. Gentleman apply the excellent principle of abandoning all bulk purchase to other commodities as well?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. This has nothing to do with the question of bulk purchase. We have just bulk-purchased these supplies in the Argentine. This is a question of unified purchase on behalf of a number of nations acting together.

Mr. Bossom

Would the Minister then say that we are getting sufficient of these fats to carry out the painting for the housing work that is essential?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir; I think we desire to get very much more linseed, and other similar fats, than we are getting, but we are having to contend against the opinion —however unjust that opinion is—that we obtained a very large share, at any rate, from the Argentine, by our recent purchase.