HC Deb 10 July 1950 vol 477 cc946-7
62. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Food when he expects to make a statement on the recommendation made over a year ago by the expert Committee on the Form of Government Accounts that a trading fund should be started in order to separate losses made on trading from subsidies.

Mr. Webb

This Report was dated 11th February, 1949, but it was not published until last month. If the recommendation is adopted, legislation will be needed, and the matter is being considered by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Osborne

Was not the Report made to the Minister a year ago? It has been in the hands of his Department for a year and yet nothing has been done. Is his reason for not disclosing these losses that they are so big and that he is afraid of the public knowing how much money he is losing by trading?

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