§ 118. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Food why, before he grants applications for the import of dried peas, he is imposing conditions that the trader shall purchase twice the quantity from his Department's stocks; and whether he will review this introduction of a system of bargaining with the exercise of his administrative powers.
Mr. F. WileyIt is the mutual advantage of traders and the Ministry to dispose of Government stocks in an orderly and equitable manner and the arrangements for the disposal of dried peas have been made in close consultation and agreement with the trades affected. The condition referred to by the hon. Member applies only to a limited proportion of the proposed imports and to a limited proportion of the stocks for disposal. Licence applications118W covering approximately half of the permissible imports up to 30th June, 1951, will be considered without commitment as to purchase from my Department's stocks.