§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the purchase of Canadian beef.
§ Colonel LlewellinAn agreement has now been signed by the Governments of the United Kingdom and Canada for the sale to the United Kingdom of Canadian beef. The agreement provides that Canada will supply a minimum of 50,000,000 lbs. in each of the years 1944 and 1945 and the United Kingdom will purchase a maximum of 112,000,000 lbs. in 1944 and of 134,400,000 lbs. in 1945, quantities which are at present believed to represent the maxima which will be available for export. If more than these quantities should become available the United Kingdom Government will be glad to take the additional amounts. Supplies from Canada are essential for the maintenance of the United Kingdom meat ration, and I am highly appreciative of the undertaking given by the Canadian Government to make every effort to ensure that of the quantities of beef delivered under this agreement the maximum possible will be of a quality suitable for sale on the ration.