HC Deb 19 May 1947 vol 437 cc1985-7
19. Mr. Piratin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much grain has been collected in the British zone of Germany since the last harvest; how this total compares with the estimate of what should have been collected; and if he will account for the difference.

Mr. Mayhew

Receipts of bread grains from farms during the present crop year up to 15th April totalled 1,170,600 tons or 91 per cent. of the expected saleable crop. Receipts of coarse grains have totalled 212,900 tons or 60 per cent. of the amount expected for the crop year. The difference is mainly due to the failure of the German food administration to collect the maximum amount of grain and to secure the proper reduction in the livestock population.

Mr. Piratin

What steps is the Minister taking to adjust the manner of working of the German food administration in order that the quota shall be fulfilled?

Mr. Mayhew

This question was dealt with in the Debate on Thursday. The big answer would be that we are giving the German economic agencies greater powers in these matters.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Would not my hon. Friend agree that it is not fair to blame the Germans exclusively but that the general deficiency in imports is the major fact which has brought about a shortage of food in Germany?

Mr. Mayhew

The Question deals with the collection in the British zone and I have said that the deficiency is due mainly to the failure of the German administration.

25. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement respecting the food supply in Germany; to what extent new supplies of food have become available; and what is the actual number of calories now available.

Mr. Mayhew

This matter was dealt with by my right hon. Friend in the course of the Debate on foreign affairs on Thursday last. A considerable number of grain ships are now arriving or due at German ports, and the delivery of available supplies to consumers is being accelerated. After this week it should be possible to issue in full that part of the ration which is met from imported supplies. The extent to which other supplies will be available will depend upon the effectiveness of the German Food administration in improving the collection and distribution of home grown food The British and American authorities are doing all they can to stimulate German efforts in this direction. During the past week the ration actually received by the normal consumer has provided, on the average, about 1,025 calories a day.

Mr. Sorensen

Can we take it that 1,025 calories is now the basis of calorific consumption in the British zone?

Mr. Mayhew

That was the normal ration in the past week.

Mrs. Leah Manning

Since in his, reply my hon. Friend, in referring to indigenous supplies, dealt only with distribution, may I ask whether there are production targets for this year's harvest?

Mr. Mayhew

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a Question on that point.

Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

Can the Under-Secretary assure us that he is doing his best to get in the greatest possible supply of fish, and particularly herring?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir. I have answered a Question about that. We are doing our utmost, and we agree in principle to the purchase of herring.

Mr. Edward Evans

Could not the calorific content of the German ration be increased enormously by a liberal supply of herring?

Mr. Mayhew

As far as calories go, the herring is an expensive and inefficient food as compared with bread.

Sir W. Smithers

Is not the root of the trouble the violation of the Potsdam Agreement by the Russians?

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that it will be a crime against humanity if the Allies allow the German people to sink into a slough of starvation, despair and distress?