§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Food what proportion of his Department's purchases of this year's harvest of British-grown barley has been sold commercially.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNone, so far; but sales of the home crop are due to begin this month, in accordance with a programme already notified to the trade.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWill the Minister make it clear that, because of the vastly increased dollar imports of Canadian barley—16 times as much as last year—and he ought to prepare the public for the shock when it is known—that we shall have to sell 1 million tons of British barley at £2 or £3 per ton less than the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is paying for it; and will he at least advise the public of the danger into which he is leading the taxpayer as a result of this very strange policy?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am surprised to hear that from the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but, in any case, the public will be well aware of the fact that, under the Agriculture Act guarantee, such things might happen.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the Minister satisfied that he will, in fact, be able to dispose of all the British-grown barley this year?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThis calendar year, no; but we certainly shall be able to do it next year, as the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well. I am not accepting the figures of stocks which the hon. and gallant Gentleman gave, but it was essential, when we went into de-control, to make certain that there were adequate supplies in the country.