HC Deb 19 November 1947 vol 444 c1139
48. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food what method is employed for distributing food sent through commercial channels to this country from Australia; and what proportion of food exports from Australia to Great Britain is diverted to other destinations by the International Emergency Food Council.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)

The principal foods imported from Australia through commercial channels are wines and spirits, rabbits, jam and marmalade, honey and essential oils; they are distributed through trade-controlled schemes approved by my Department. The I.E.F.C. has no power to divert food supplies from this country; it makes recommendations to the member Governments in regard to a limited number of foods from Australia. Of these foods, namely, oils and fats, wheat and flour, meat and meat products, dried peas and rice, the I.E.F.C. recommendations entail only 2 per cent. being sent to foreign countries, the whole of the balance being available for the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth territories.

Sir W. Smithers

Does not the Minister of Food realise that unless the destination of this food is made absolutely clear, our generous Australian cousins may be sending the food here under false pretences?

Mr. Strachey

I have not quite followed the hon. Member's point. As to destination, when food is bought from Australia it is, of course, bought for this country.