Mr. KENNEDY JONESasked the Food Controller if his attention has been called to the fact that the world's output of rice has seriously diminished; that there may be general shortage and that the prices even of the quantity which comes on the British market will be much inflated owing to the buying by Japanese for profiteering sales in Europe and elsewhere; and whether he will be prepared to take steps to deal with practice of this nature?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe Food Controller is aware that, owing to the failure of certain crops, there is probably a world's shortage of rice, and that, as a consequence, prices generally are likely to be inflated. It is improbable that any surplus of Burmah rice will be available for European markets; and the Food Controller has no means of controlling the price of rice in other exporting countries, such as Siam and Saigon. So far, however, as supplies for this country are concerned, the stocks of Rangoon rice held by the Royal Commission on the Wheat Supply are estimated to be sufficient to last until the end of this year and possibly longer, and will be released for retail sale at 4d. per lb. The importation of rice on private account is now permitted, and it is expected that supplies of choice varieties will reach this country for retail at a reasonable price in competition with the Government stocks. I may say, however, that under the Rica (Retail Prices) Order any retailer who wishes to sell these varieties is required to have on sale at the same time rice at 4d. per lb.