§ 36. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food the percentage reduction in the consumption of butter in 1952 compared with 1951; and whether he anticipates that consumption this year will correspond to that in 1951.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeTwenty-five per cent. I hope for some improvement this year over 1952, but it is too early for a precise forecast. In 1951, consumption was maintained at the expense of running down stocks, which I had to restore to a working level.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the less he says about stocks the better? In view of this melancholy record will he make a bid for the enormous butter surpluses in the United States which are still accumulating?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeWe are, of course, prepared to get as much butter as we possibly can, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that it was his right hon. Friend and he who did with butter, when they were in the late Government, what they did with meat—distribute several thousand tons more than they received.