HC Deb 17 January 1945 vol 407 cc192-3W
Mr. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the U.K.C.C. and M.E.S.C. arranged with the Ethiopian Government to purchase from their farmers all the cereals they could grow thereby encouraging cereals in preference to other craps, whilst British control of the railways gave preference to this export thereby reducing the export of the permanent staples of Ethiopian economy; why the purchase of cereals has now been terminated, leaving the standing corn without a market and ruining these peasants; what notice to terminate their purchase of cereals was given to the Ethiopian Government; and was it arranged that these purchases were for the period of the war.

Mr. Eden

In 1943 His Majesty's Government gave the Ethiopian Government an undertaking to purchase all available good quality cereals during 1944 at prices to be agreed. In implementation of this undertaking the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation arranged, subject to the availability of transport, to buy up to 60,000 tons for delivery by 31st March, 1945. Deliveries under this agreement are still taking place. No discussions have as yet taken place with the Ethiopian Government regarding the 1945 crop. This matter is at present under examination by His Majesty's Government, who are considering the means whereby the best use may be made of the available surplus. The undertaking given to the Ethiopian Government was for the year 1944 only, and no notice to terminate the agreement was therefore necessary.