§ 51. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food what is the difference per ton between the highest and lowest prices charged by individual firms for the processing of oilseeds; and on what basis he decides which firms to employ.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Frederick Willey)There is no difference in the rates paid by the Ministry to firms doing the same work, since a standard rate of payment for each process carried out on each variety of oilseed is fixed every six months. We arrange our processing programme so as to keep down transport and distribution costs both for oilseeds and oils and for the finished products.
§ Mr. OsborneHow can the Minister say that there is no difference in the prices paid to different firms when the Comptroller and Auditor General remarked on this in his Report and said how unsatisfactory it was? Will he please look again at the Report and give the House a better answer?
§ Mr. WilleyI have seen the Report, and it would repay the hon. Gentleman to look at it again, because he might then not be so confused.
§ Mr. OsborneThe same to the hon. Gentleman, if I may be allowed to say so.