HC Deb 01 November 1948 vol 457 cc506-8
44. Mr. Walter Fletcher

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken in connection with the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary on 12th July regarding the supply of rice from Burma; and whether he has considered in this connection the despatch of goods to Burma and insisting on the agreement referred to on this occasion.

Mr. Strachey

I have nothing further to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my Parliamentary Secretary on 12th July in connection with the supply of rice from Burma. As regards the export of goods to Burma, I understand that the value of our exports to this market is at present running at about six times the pre-war rate.

Mr. Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rice situation in Burma has deteriorated so rapidly and the planting programme for next year is so much under that of this year, that the whole question of the rice ration in Malaya and its vital effect on the Communist movement there is involved? Will he take the matter a little more seriously and send out a special Commission to look into the matter?

Mr. Strachey

We regard the supply of rice to South-East Asia as of absolutely primary importance, and that is why we have not distributed a supply of rice in this country, as the hon. Gentleman knows, but we cannot dictate the amount of rice which comes out of Burma. We shall do our utmost to make it the largest possible amount.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the Minister realise that the amount of rice in this country is between 25,000 and 50,000 tons and that we are talking of crops of 2 million tons? The Minister's remark is quite irrelevant and out of proportion. Will he kindly put some real thought and drive into getting some rice from Burma into Malaya?

63. Mr. W. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the official statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary on 24th September about the rice situation in Burma, steps have been taken to ensure the maintenance and, if possible, the increase of the rice ration in Malaya during the coming year.

Mr. Strachey

It is estimated that the exportable rice surplus from producer countries for 1949 will be about equal to the exports during 1948. It is unlikely, therefore, that there will be sufficient rice available to warrant an increase in the ration scales. Steps have been taken to purchase rice from Egypt and Italy to augment supplies from South-East Asia.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what figure he has used in his estimates for Burma for the coming year, because upon that figure depends whether or not he can maintain the ration in Malaya?

Mr. Strachey

There is certainly the risk that, owing to the recent disturbances in Burma, rice exports from that country will be lower next year than they were last year. Whether or not that risk will eventuate no one can say but we believe that the gap, if there is a gap, created by the failure of Burmese exports to realise expectations, can on the whole be made up from other sources.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the estimated figure on which he is working?

Sir Ralph Glyn

What steps are being taken to encourage the growing of rice in West Africa, especially Nigeria, where the crop at present is very small but could be increased?

Mr. Strachey

I should need to have notice of that Question because it is a matter primarily for the Colonial Office.