HC Deb 20 February 1946 vol 419 cc241-2W
Mr. Spearman

asked the Minister of Food if he can arrange for a supply of soap necessary for cleaning derequisitioned properties.

Sir B. Smith

The cleaning of derequisitioned premises is normally carried out by the requisitioning authority, but where

EMPIRE TOBACCO.
Country of Origin Imports into United Kingdom. Production
1937 1945
Canada … … … 8,648,911 12,095,727 1943 Crop, 69,103,900 lb.
1944 Crop, 102.104,750 lb
Australia … … … Negligible Nil 1942–1943 Crop, 4,000,000 lb
New Zealand … Negligible Ni. 1943–1944 Crop, 3,100,000 lb
South Africa … … … 204,704 Nil 1942–1943 Crop, 25,200,000 lb
1943–1944 Crop Failure.
India … … … … 19,149,630 10,155,293 1942–1943 crop,965,440,000 lb
Southern Rhodesia … … 14,519,338 20,600,195 1944–1945 Crop, 46,300,000 lb.
Nyasa … … … 13,504,935 11,571,771 1944–1945 Crop, Estimate 20.000,000 lb
Other parts of British Empire 1,308,282 1,577,562 Estimate 19,000,000 lb
NOTES.
Canada.—The crop varies greatly from season to season owing to the climate. We obtain the maximum quantity possible from Canada which for some years has fallen short of our requirements.
Australia.—Imports, but does not export tobacco. Average crop is of the order of 6,000,000 lb.
New Zealand.—Consumption is about twice their crop and there is, therefore, no exportable surplus.
South Africa.—Domestic consumption approximates to the crop produced but South Africa, when her own crop is short, imports from Southern Rhodesia.
India.—The greater part of India's large crop is of a type unsuitable for use in this country Only 40,000,000 lb approximately is flue-cured and of this the United Kingdom imports the maximum exportable surplus. During the last few years India's domestic consumption, especially flue-cured. has risen considerably.
Southern Rhodesia.—United Kingdom imports all suitable exportable surplus.
Nyasa.—Is principally a dark tobacco producer, mainly used in the roll, twist and, to a lesser extent, pipe trade. Owing to adequate stocks in the hands of manufacturers importations were reduced in 1945, but normally imports average 14,000,000 lb.
Other parts of British Empire.—Figures of production can only be estimated. They exclude production in countries recently occupied by the enemy In 1940 Burma produced 136,600,000 lbs.

this is not done or where subsequent structural repair or redecoration entails further cleaning, supplies of soap are made available for the purpose through local Food Offices.