§ 29. Mr. Gammansasked the Minister of Food at what price groundnut oil was sold in 1950 to manufacturers; what differences existed in rates charted to purveyors of rationed and unrationed goods; and what was the average price at which the oil was bought during the same period.
§ Mr. WebbMy Department's selling price to all manufacturers and trade users receiving supplies was £114 a ton. I cannot give an average buying price for groundnut oil, because the Ministry of Food only buys the nuts leaving them to be turned into oil by the various private firms established in the business in this country.
§ Mr. GammansCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he makes a profit or loss on this transaction? In other words, is it a form of subsidy when this oil is ultimately sold?