HC Deb 19 May 1947 vol 437 cc1991-2
28. Brigadier Mackeson

asked 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 Mackeson

In view of that very considerable increase, is the Minister trying to persuade the Argentine Government to abolish bulk selling?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. I do not think it would serve any useful purpose if we told the Argentine how to run their economic affairs.

Mr. Baldwin

Can the Minister say what proportion of the price of maize is paid to Argentine producers?

Mr. Strachey

Not without notice.