§ Mr. ALEXANDER SHAWasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that consignments of tea from a garden in. 413W Sylhet, for which a price under 7d. per lb. was paid to the growers, were on Thursday, 27th February, sold by auction by the Government at prices varying from 1s. 6d. to 1s. 10¾d. per lb.; and whether the cost of freight and insurance on this tea was, approximately, 3d. per lb.?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have no knowledge of the particular consignments of tea to which the hon. Member refers, and am therefore unable to say whether the purchase price and the cost of freight and insurance are as stated in the question, but I am aware that teas purchased by the Ministry of Food were on Thursday, 27th February, sold at public auction for export at the prices mentioned. If the hon. Member will supply the mark and grade of the tea I will have the figures in this case ascertained.