§ 28. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Food the average price of, respectively, one ton of maize and one ton of meat purchased by this country in the Argentine in 1938 and 1946 respectively.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)The approximate average prices per ton f.o.b. paid for maize in the Argentine were:—£6s. od. in 1938, and £18 4s. od. in 1946; for bone-in meat the average prices were £40 in 1938, and £60 in 1946.
§ Brigadier MackesonIn view of that very considerable increase, is the Minister trying to persuade the Argentine Government to abolish bulk selling?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. I do not think it would serve any useful purpose if we told the Argentine how to run their economic affairs.
Mr. BaldwinCan the Minister say what proportion of the price of maize is paid to Argentine producers?
§ Mr. StracheyNot without notice.