§ 27. Mr. Walter Fletcherasked the Minister of Food what shipments of rice have been made from Siam in February, March and April, 1947, respectively.
§ 28. Dr. Haden Guestasked the Minister of Food what price the International Rice Commission is now paying for rice in Siam; and whether expected supplies are now available.
§ Mr. StracheyAbout 20,500 tons of rice were exported from Siam in February, 31,800 tons in March, and 45,000 tons between 1st and 25th April. The Combined Siam Rice Commission do not buy rice; the present export price is about £26 per ton f.o.b.
§ Mr. FletcherWould the Minister agree that this total for very nearly three months is well below the contracts signed last year, and what steps is he taking to see that supplies of this vital food from Malaya and other parts of the East are very largely increased? Has he managed to see that the owner and producer of rice gets the benefit of the foreign exchange and not the Government?
§ Mr. StracheyI would agree that these totals are not fully satisfactory but they are rising. I would not like to utter any complacent words about the situation. My Director of Rice has very recently been in Siam and we are putting very strong pressure on the Siamese Government in view of the immense importance of this foodstuff and we shall certainly continue to do so.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay I protest against, "My Director of Rice?" The Director of Rice is a servant of the taxpayer and of the country.
§ Mr. StracheyIf the phrase does not please the hon. Member, I shall be delighted to withdraw it.