§ 18. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations with the Argentine Government on meat.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Members for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) and Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 15th October.
§ Mr. JegerCan the Minister say whether negotiations are still proceeding through the medium of our ambassador or whether any of the retail or wholesale meat traders in this country have a voice in these negotiations?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe negotiations are proceeding in the normal way.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs not the time coming when the Minister should tell the general public the world position in regard to the consumption of meat? Is he not aware that the continual hopes which are held out of more red meat are very disturbing and keep people in a state of great suspense?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI have not noticed that people are in a state of great suspense, but I have noticed that they are a little more satisfied this year with the position than they were last year.
§ 43. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food what quantity of meat was imported from the Argentine for the last month for which figures are available; and what quantity of meat was imported from the Argentine for the corresponding period last year.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAccording to the records of my Department 688 tons of meat and offal were imported from Argentina during September this year as compared with 4,598 tons imported during the same month in 1951.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that this is a serious shortfall and emphasises the need to speed up these negotiations? Is he never tempted to send out a business man to the Argentine?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Member must not compare strictly this September with last September, because he will appreciate much more readily than 681 I that last September came at the end of a period when there was practically no meat available at all.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the Minister state the price we are paying for the meat which has been coming in from the end of September? Might it be £200 a ton?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Member will know in good time.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the Minister agree that the meat ration in September last was more than it is now?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, there is a larger meat ration now than in September last year, soon after which the present Government came in.