§ Captain R. TERRELLasked the Minister of Food whether the restrictions on the re-export of tea from this country have been limited to 7,000,000 lbs. per year on the recommendation of the Consumers' Council; whether, as a result, we have now far more tea than we know what to do with; and whether it is possible to relieve the congestion of the warehouses in this country by permitting the re-export of tea on a free and unfettered scale?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe re-export of tea from this country was limited to 7,000,000 lbs. per month after consultation with all sections of the tea trade. Shipments of tea during the next few months are likely to be on a largely reduced scale, and in view of the increased demand the present stock will certainly not prove too large. The monthly amount of tea allowed to be re-exported each month is cumulative, and since 1st June, 1919, only 25,906,346 lbs. of tea has been re-exported against 63,000,000 lbs. available under the restrictions, leaving a balance of 37,093,654 lbs. Still available for export in addition to this month's allowance. The present restrictions, therefore, cannot be considered unduly vigorous, and it is not clear that their removal would materially assist in relieving the congestion of the warehouses in this country.