§ 45. Mr. Nabarroasked the Prime Minister whether he will take urgent steps to co-ordinate the policy of the Ministers of Agriculture and Food and the President of the Board of Trade in regard to resources of tinplate for canning of fruit and horticultural products, with a view to preventing wastage of any part of the United Kingdom crops during the coming season.
§ The Prime MinisterFull co-ordination is already maintained.
§ Mr. NabarroIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in spite of the recent increases in the allocation of tinplate to canneries, there is still grave apprehension that if we have good crops in the coming season a large part of those crops will be wasted? Will he please make it clear that it is the policy of the Government to put the home producer first and the foreigner last?
§ Mr. David Rentonis the right hon. Gentleman aware of the vital need for tinplate in piling up food supplies for an emergency, and will he give an assurance that tinplate will not in future be used to enclose the meat pies and other delicacies which are sent to the Argentine?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is not a question for me.
§ Mr. BoothbyWhat is the point of sabotaging the British canning industry at a time when it was never more necessary to have a supply of food stocks; and when there are unlimited supplies of the best food in the world for canning—herrings?