§ 63. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food to what extent the biscuits which are to be imported from Europe to the United Kingdom are being manufactured from the 200,000 tons of wheat and flour which was diverted to the Continent from the United Kingdom earlier this year.
§ Mr. StracheyOnly one of the countries, namely, Belgium, to which wheat was diverted in the spring of this year is expected to export biscuits to the United Kingdom. These biscuits are not yet made, and it is highly improbable that any part of the small quantity of wheat— 9,000 tons—allotted to that country still remains unconsumed and available for the manufacture of biscuits.
§ 64. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food why, in view of the restrictions still maintained on the manufacture of biscuits in this country which are causing unemployment and short time, he now proposes to allow the importation of biscuits from the Continent.
§ Mr. StracheyThe importation of biscuits is allowed in the interests of consumers. Of course, we shall increase home production the minute supplies permit.