§ 43. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to state when the preliminary stages will be completed and when effective negotiations will be begun on the supply of meat from the Argentine.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeAs I have already informed the House, I will make a statement at an appropriate time.
52. Mr. F. Wileyasked the Minister of Food how much meat which would otherwise have been shipped from New Zealand to the United Kingdom will now be diverted to Canada.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot say exactly at present. The amount will depend on the quantity of meat of suitable types available in New Zealand and on how long the trade between Canada and the United States remains suspended. Every ton of meat so diverted from the United Kingdom will be replaced by Canada. In addition, we expect to get some extra meat from Canada for sterling under the arrangements agreed for sharing the profits of the sale of New Zealand meat in the U.S.A.
59. Mr. F. Wileyasked the Minister of Food why the price of meat is being increased by 4d. a lb. before the negotiations for the procurement of meat this year from overseas have been completed.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeBecause the retail price increases necessary to bring the food subsidy figure down to a rate of £250 million a year are not determined alone by the procurement costs of individual commodities.