HC Deb 22 May 1950 vol 475 cc1624-5
7. Mr. J. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Food how much Algerian wine has been released in each month since the last purchase by his Department.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Frederick Willey)

As the reply contains a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Would the hon. Gentleman tell the House now exactly how much of this liquid is held at present by his Ministry, and if not, why his Ministry is prepared to give many details about practically every other food in the "Monthly Digest of Statistics" except this?

Mr. Willey

The stocks are disposed of, and I hope within a few weeks to be able to give a statement which will show that the Ministry made a satisfactory profit on the dealings in wine.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Was any of this invigorating red wine available during the week-end in the Dorking district?

Following is the statement:

SALES OF MINISTRY STOCKS OF ALGERIAN WINE FROM MARCH, 1948, TO DECEMBER, 1949.
1948 Gallons
March … 1,017
April … 12,883
May … 22,154
June … 2,718
July … 583
August … 343
September … 289
October … 285
November … 2,331
December … 378
1949
January … 563
February … 428
March … 997
April … 3,703
May … 1,278
June … 1,510
July … 1,335
August … 2,343
September … 4,226
October … 4,170
November … 5,618
December … —
69,152
Shipped to Germany
1949 Gallons
October … 116,160
November … 286,428
December … 129,068
531,656
Total … 600,808