HC Deb 26 January 1948 vol 446 cc635-6
4. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Food what progress has been made with the Danish Government in the negotiations for foodstuffs.

Mr. Strachey

Detailed discussions have been held with the Danish delegation, who have now returned to Denmark for consultation with their Government. I hope that we shall be able to sign contracts on butter and bacon shortly.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is it not a fact that the reason why these negotiations have not proceeded in a bigger way is that we are unable to offer the Danes steel and coal, and will the Minister try to approach this problem in the same way as he did in the case of Eire when be brought about agreement there?

Mr. Strachey

I did not understand the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Would the Minister try to approach this problem in the same way as he approached the discussions with Ireland regarding foodstuffs a few months ago.

Mr. Strachey

It is not my Departmental responsibility, but supplies of scarce materials such as coal and steel have been offered to the Danes. However, we cannot offer them all the supplies available or we should have none for other very important customers.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Is one of the reasons the agreement has not been concluded that we would not offer any money transferable into hard currency, and is it not a fact that the Government have said repeatedly that hard currency will be made available for food supplies? Will the Minister make representations on the subject to the Government?

Mr. Strachey

I could not agree with any of those suggestions. Of course, the Government have to buy some foodstuffs with hard currency—in the United States and Canada, for example—but I could not agree that any pledge has been made that hard currency would be available for any specific food supplies.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Have these discussions been confined to butter and bacon only, or has there been a large purchase of carrots?

Mr. Strachey

Yes, there was a purchase of carrots, but that is not involved in these negotiations. That has actually taken place.