HC Deb 30 July 1951 vol 491 cc933-4
12. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to secure imports of maize from the Union of South Africa.

Mr. F. Willey

my Department is always ready to consider offers of maize and other grain, but no new crop maize has yet been offered from the Union of South Africa.

Mr. Turton

in view of the fact that 360,000 tons of old crop maize have been offered by the Union of South Africa, why has not the Minister taken any steps to buy it?

Mr. Willey

That does not accord with my information.

Mr. Turton

if the hon. Gentleman will look at the "Official Bulletin," published by the Union of South Africa, he will see that there are, in fact, 360,000 tons of yellow maize on offer.

Mr. Willey

our information is that at present there is no maize on offer; but I will certainly make inquiries, as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

would it not be better if farmers grew their own feeding-stuffs instead of relying on the spoon-feeding of the Opposition?

Sir H. Williams

would the hon. Gentleman think of appointing his hon. and learned Friend as the expert maize grower of the United Kingdom?