§ 2. Mr. H. L. D'A. Hopkinsonasked the Minister of Food what losses were incurred by his Department on the shipment of Russian crabmeat from the United Kingdom to the United States of America, 1522 which American dockers recently refused to unload from the s.s. "Parthia."
§ 3. Mr. Hopkinsonasked the Minister of Food the total value of the Russian crabmeat shipped by his Department from the United Kingdom to the United States of America during the current year.
§ Mr. HopkinsonCan the Minister say how he reconciles this transaction, which, according to American papers, amounts to far more than that sum, with the Prime Minister's recent declaration that the machinery going to Russia was being used for the import into this country of valuable feedingstuffs and timber, whereas in point of fact it seems to be used for the shipment to America of crabmeat which is not wanted, and on which we shall have a loss?
§ Mr. WebbThe larger part of this trade took place a long time ago—long before the considerations the hon. Gentleman has in mind arose.
§ Mr. HopkinsonIs it not a fact that there have been three shipments of crabmeat to the United States in the last three or four weeks?
§ 4. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Food how much crabmeat has been purchased by his Department from the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics during the past two years; and to whom it has been sold.
§ Mr. WebbTwo thousand four hundred and seventy tons. Some has been sold in this country and some has been re-exported, mainly to America.
§ Sir J. MellorWhy does the Minister deal in Russian crabmeat?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonHow can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile the reply he has just given with his reply to an earlier supplementary question, when I understood him to say that this crabmeat transaction took place years and years ago, long before there was any question of orders from Russia?
§ Mr. HudsonIn that case, when the right hon. Gentleman looks at his answer again he will find that he definitely misled his hearers in the House.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCan my right hon. Friend say whether the attention of the United States' authorities has been drawn to the fact that this attempt to conduct foreign policy by strikes is doing harm to this country and none to the Soviet Union?
§ Sir William DarlingWas any of this crabmeat offered to the Kitchen Committee of the House of Commons?
§ Dr. Barnett StrossCan my right hon. Friend tell the House how one can distinguish between Communist crab and capitalist crab?
§ 18. Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Minister of Food how often in August were shipments of Russian crabmeat made by his Department to the United States of America; in how many cases did the American dockers refuse to unload this cargo; what was the value of the shipments and the losses incurred; and, in view of the resentment caused in the United States of America, if he will give an assurance that no further shipments of this sort will be made.
§ Mr. WebbFive shipments worth just over £95,000 were made during August. All have been or are being returned. I cannot say until the goods are sold what profit or loss will result. In reply to the last part of the Question, I can only say that I have no immediate intention of resuming shipment to America of this crabmeat.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs it not particularly unfortunate that, during the war in Korea, American public opinion should be further disturbed by this abortive attempt on the part of the Ministry of Food to ship Russian goods to the United States in British disguise?
§ Mr. PatonCan the Ministry say if these particular shipments of crabmeat were bought by American importers?