HC Deb 07 March 1951 vol 485 c438
58. Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Minister of Food what tinned foodstuffs, and in what quantities, are expected from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a result of the decision to export tin-plate to that country in the first quarter of 1951.

Mr. Willey

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Angus, South (Captain Duncan), on Monday, 5th March, 1951.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

But as the 1,800 tons of tinplate which we exported to Russia was sufficient to can about twice the amount of food that Russia is sending to us, why are we not getting more food from Russia in exchange for this valuable tinplate, and more important food than Russian crab meat and salmon?

Mr. Willey

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman is overlooking the fact that we are receiving 800,000 tons of coarse grain from Russia.