§ Mr. JACOBSENasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that up to about a month ago English-made margarine was sold by the makers at 84s. per cwt., and that, although the price of palm kernels has fallen considerably, the price of English-made margarine is now 89s. per cwt., for the same quality as was sold at 84s.; if he will say if contracts have been placed by the Government at 89s.; whether quantities of Dutch-made margarine are lying at Rotterdam awaiting shipment to England; and, as margarine is almost the only cheap food obtainable at present, if he will take steps to expedite the shipments from Holland?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that the prices named by the hon. Member are incorrect. A small purchase of margarine was made from one of the English manufacturers about a month ago at 74s. 8d. per cwt., and a substantial contract with the same firm has recently been made at 79s. 4d. Recent imports of margarine from Holland have been on a large scale, and will no doubt continue.