§ Sir P. MAGNUSasked the President of the Board of Trade if, during the last six weeks, not a single ton of linseed has been shipped from Argentina to Great Britain, but, after purchase by German agents of the whole Argentine crop, one-third has gone to the United States and the remaining two-thirds to Holland and Scandinavia; and, if so, seeing that linseed and linseed cake are among the most important raw materials in the home production of milk and meat, and that we are apparently now dependent entirely upon India for future supplies of linseed, he will take steps to obtain therefrom the largest possible quantity of this essential commodity without delay and secure a reduction of the present very high freights approximating to £9 per ton, now charged for its shipment from that country?
§ Sir R. WINFREYOut of the total shipment from the Argentine of 3,350,000 quarters of linseed since the 1st January last, 910,000 quarters were sent to this country, 1,120,000 quarters to the United States, and 1,303,000 to the Continent of Europe. The last recorded shipment to this country was on 26th October, and to the Continent on 23rd November. The position, therefore, is not as suggested in the first part of the question. With regard to the last part, the hon. Member may rest assured that the situation in 1009W respect of supplies of linseed is being carefully watched and that every available means of bringing fresh supplies to this country are being utilised.