HC Deb 06 December 1948 vol 459 cc19-21
36. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the recent meat contract with Uruguay.

Dr. Summerskill

It would not be in the public interest to publish the full text of the meat agreement recently signed with the Uruguayan Government. I may say, however, that Uruguay has undertaken to send us 34,000 tons of meat during the year ending 17th February, 1949, at prices comparable with those which we are paying to Argentina. So far 17,323 tons, including 2,635 tons canned corned meat, have been shipped.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the hon. Lady aware that only one person, namely, the Minister of Food, is able to gamble with the taxpayers' money in this way and render no account of it? Is the hon. Lady also aware that the Ministry of Food is being fooled over this meat contract as it was over the Argentine contract, and will the Government return to private- enterprise buying and do away with bulk purchasing which necessitates bulk selling?

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

When the hon. Lady says that the price is comparable with that of the Argentine, can she say what is the percentage increase on the last contract, and would she confirm or deny the statement made in the Uruguayan Press that the prices have been raised by one-third?

Dr. Summerskill

I would require notice of the first part of the supplementary question.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

What about the second part?

Captain Crookshank

Can the hon. Lady say why it would not be in the public interest to give this information?

Dr. Summerskill

I have explained time after time, as has my right hon. Friend, that if there are negotiations with different countries for meat, as, in fact, we are having, it is not wise and it is not good business to reveal to the world what we are paying.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

If the hon. Lady says that negotiations are going on, I quite agree, but these negotiations to which I refer are complete. The Uruguayan Press state that the prices are one-third higher than they were the last time. Can she say whether that is true or not?

Dr. Summerskill

I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman would agree that the housewives of this country would like an increase in the meat ration. Therefore, if we are looking elsewhere for meat, as we are, it would be unwise to reveal these prices.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Could the hon. Lady say whether this agreement covers more than one year's purchase, as she has referred to one year, and, if so, how many?

Dr. Summerskill

Yes, Sir, it covers a year up to February, 1949.