27. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to make a reduction in the price of olive oil, the recent price of which is 51s. per gallon, as compared with the prewar price of 7s. per gallon, with special reference to a substantial supply of Greek olive oil purchased by his Department at £275 per ton, which has been sold to the olive oil merchants at the equivalent of £620 per ton.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Greek olive oil referred to by the hon. Member is not yet on the market and when it is released the price will be substantially below the prices charged hitherto.
Mr. De la BèreAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman, or his Department, does not intend to exploit the public and make them pay excessively high prices for the olive oil? Is it not a fact that the Ministry of Food is making very high profits from the purchase and re-sale of this olive oil?
§ Mr. StracheyThe answer to the first part of the question is, "No, we do not." The answer to the second part is that this is imported by private traders.
Mr. De la BèreOn a point of Order. The Minister gave a completely inaccurate answer—[Interruption.] May I raise this matter on the Adjournment? [Interruption.] May I have a little silence? May I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker? If a Minister makes an inaccurate reply hon. Members must, for their own protection, and for the protection of their constituents, draw attention to it. That is the only protection which hon. Members possess. I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment in view of the utterly misleading and inaccurate reply.