§ Mr. Hoggasked the Minister of Food for what reason the Government refused an offer from Australia of more eggs and dried fruits before the last ration cuts were made in Britain.
§ Sir B. SmithI have accepted all offers from Australia of eggs and egg products with the exception of an extremely small quantity of dried egg, specially packed for the use of the Armed Forces and which, by agreement with the Australian Government, has been allocated for that purpose. The only offer of dried fruit which I-have refused is that of a token quantity of 50 tons of table muscatels. This offer was declined at the time principally on the grounds of price, but some regard was paid to the difficulty of securing equitable distribution of so small a quantity with no assurance of further supplies. I am, however, looking into this aspect of the matter again since, in present conditions I am anxious to import into this country all suitable foodstuffs which can be obtained at fair prices.