HC Deb 09 June 1947 vol 438 c689
20. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Minister of Food whether his Department has made any attempt to secure surplus linseed oil in Holland.

Mr. Strachey

Recent reports that Holland had some surplus linseed proved to be untrue when we tried to buy it for sowing. Holland is short of linseed oil herself.

Colonal Hutchison

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the allocation, as between Holland and this country, is fair in all circumstances?

Mr. Strachey

I am seldom, if ever, satisfied with an allocation, and we are always pressing to get a higher one.

Mr. Callaghan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a report in a newspaper this morning that bulk purchasing arrangements had enabled us to buy linseed oil much more cheaply than our competitors?

Mr. Strachey

I have not seen the report to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is perfectly true that many of our competitors consider that we have purchased a very much larger share of the linseed oil available and at a very favourable price.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Does not the right hon. Gentleman always mistrust what he reads in the Press?