§ 12. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that he will buy all the wheat which can be obtained from Commonwealth countries.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe cannot, for balance of payments and operational reasons, buy our wheat exclusively from Commonwealth countries. But we shall certainly continue to buy a very large proportion of our total requirements from these countries.
§ Mr. RussellIs it not a fact that in the first four months of this year we spent nearly £20 million on wheat from foreign countries, including the United States? Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say what steps are being taken to obtain more from sterling area Commonwealth countries?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe hope very much that some of our Commonwealth producers will be able to increase their acreage. Indeed, that is their ambition, as has been indicated. I hope very much that it will come about.
§ Mr. StokesWhat does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman propose to do to make it possible for some of the Commonwealth countries in the sterling area to increase their production? At present the Government are running a restrictive policy.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe right hon. Gentleman may not have seen that one of the areas to which he refers has declared a five-year plan under which a very large increase in wheat acreage is proposed.
§ 22. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Food if he will consult the Governments of Commonwealth countries with a view to expanding the growing of maize.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe need for growing more maize and other cereals in the sterling area is already well recognised by all the Governments concerned. A Commonwealth Working Party was set up after the meeting of the Finance Ministers early this year to consider what could be done to increase cereals production, along with other food, feedingstuffs and raw materials. This body has not yet completed its work.