§ 50. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Holland has purchased a substantial quantity of coconut cake from the British Protectorate of Zanzibar; and why his Department did not buy this valuable feedingstuff to increase the milk supply in the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir. The total quantity of coconut cake available in Zanzibar is never substantial. Our total purchases of oilcakes, including those obtained from home production, have already completed the quantity to which we are entitled under international allocation.
§ Mr. HurdIs not the Minister aware that 4,000 tons of coconut cake have been sold by Zanzibar to Holland, and is this not another instance of the better results obtained by private enterprise rather than by bulk purchase?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir, I am not aware of that fact. Holland bought from 50 to 100 tons of this material during the last six months.
§ Mr. SpenceDoes the hon. Lady's answer mean that we are tied by the allocations of the I.E.F.C. to the amount of 3011 oilcake that we buy, or are we entitled to buy a greater amount outside the I.E.F.C.?
§ Dr. SummerskillWe are still tied to the allocations of the I.E.F.C.
§ Dr. SummerskillYes, Sir.