§ 19. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Food when he anticipates allowing private buyers to purchase the nation's food and what is the estimated saving that this will entail.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI hope to extend the scope for private trading as soon as general conditions permit.
§ Mr. LewisIn view of the fact that for six and a half years the Tories have been clamouring for this, can the Minister say why he has not got a scheme ready, and how much money it is expected will be saved to the nation when this scheme comes into force?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIt is easier to get the schemes than it is to get the money. For the lack of that I am not responsible. As for how much it will save, that is entirely hypothetical.
§ Mr. MitchisonCan the Minister tell us what he means by "as soon as general conditions permit"?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI should have thought as soon as general conditions permit.
§ Mr. I. MikardoWhen the Minister says that it is more difficult to get the money, is he anticipating that it will cost more money to buy privately than publicly?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere is a great deal of misunderstanding on the other side about this. The fact is we have to cut these imports because we have not the money. It is not our fault that we have not got it and that we had to cut them.
§ Mr. AdamsWill the Minister describe more precisely what are the general conditions which will allow of a return to private buying?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeFor one thing, we might start paying our way.
§ Mr. R. T. PagetIs the Minister aware that so far he has cut private buying and not public buying? Is that not because private buying is a more expensive method of obtaining the goods?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir.