§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government what is the estimated 1948 maize crop in the United States of America, and what percentage of this crop they have succeeded in obtaining for consumption in Britain.]
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I have also been asked to reply to this question. The provisional estimates published by the United States Department of Agriculture on November 10, assess the 1948 maize crop at 3,650,000,000 bushels — approximately 91,250,000 tons. Because of the necessity to limit dollar expenditure, no coarse grains are at present being bought from the United States of America, but it is expected that a consignment of grain recently diverted to the Combined Zone of Germany, and a loan to Eire of maize, will be replaced by American maize amounting to approximately 100,000 tons.
LORD HAWKEArising out of the noble Lord's reply, can he tell me whether Marshall Aid was not intended to provide dollars for vital raw materials such as maize?
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHThat is a somewhat different question from that which the noble Lord has on the Order Paper. If he requires a reply and will put down another question, I will do my best to give him the information.
§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, arising out of the answer of the noble Lord, does it mean that, since we are continuing to import finished products, such as meat and bacon, from dollar countries, but no longer feel ourselves able to import coarse grain for feeding animals in this country, the Government have finally decided that it is better to import the finished products, such as meat and bacon, rather than feeding stuffs for producing the meat and bacon in this country?
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHI am afraid that the assumption of the noble Earl does not arise on the question I was asked.
§ LORD WOLVERTONIn view of the news given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food in another place last night as to the precarious meat position of this country, what steps are the Government taking to obtain more maize and coarse grain from the United States so that we can raise more pigs in this country to provide bacon which is so vital?
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHThat is rather a different question from the one that appears on the Order Paper, but I can assure the noble Lord that the coarse grain requirements of the United Kingdom are reasonably assured until about September, 1949, by purchases already made or arranged.