HC Deb 26 February 1947 vol 433 cc2072-3
60. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Food the date, quantity, and price of each purchase of oilcakes from the Argentine during the past nine months.

Dr. Summerskill

My right hon. Friend has explained on previous occasions that he is not prepared to disclose the terms of particular transactions.

Mr. Spence

Can the hon. Lady give the actual tonnage we have acquired and whether that tonnage is allocated by the I.E.F.C.?

Dr. Summerskill

It is allocated by them, and I will let the hon. Gentleman have the aggregate.

Mr. De la Bère

Do we have any control over that body?

61. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Food what decision was reached at a recent I.E.F.C. meeting regarding the individual purchase by countries of animal foodstuffs as from 1st January, 1947; and whether this decision was supported by the British delegate.

Dr. Summerskill

.I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the recommendation of the Fats, Oils and Feeds Committee of the International Emergency Food Council on 28th October, 1946, that in future there shall be no unified buying or exclusive purchase arrangements for fats and oils. The recommendation was not supported by the British representative. It does not refer to coarse grains. These are purchased by individual countries.