HC Deb 24 February 1954 vol 524 cc369-70
3. Dodds

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of Russian salmonand crab meat was imported into this country in 1953 in exchange for the herrings sent to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics under the trading agreement; and what quantity was re-exported.

Major Lloyd George

According to the records of my Department, 933 tons of canned salmon and 869 tons of crab meat were received from Russia in 1953 under barter agreements. None was re-exported.

Commander Donaldson

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that his Ministry yesterday purchased £285,000 of American salmon from Alaska, and does he not agree that in principle it is better to buy Canadian salmon than either American or Russian salmon?

Major Lloyd George

Of course, as my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, we sometimes make proportionate purchases from the two countries, and one has to be careful about discrimination, particularly in trade matters.

Mr. Ede

Does red salmon come from the United States?