HC Deb 27 February 1946 vol 419 cc388-9W
Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Food if he is importing coconuts from Malaya and in what quantities; and to what extent will supplies from this source make up for deficiencies from others.

Sir B. Smith

A Ministry of Food buying unit has been in Singapore for five months, but owing to neglect of the plantations during the Japanese occupation, and to lack of transport, exports of copra from Malay have hitherto been disappointing. I have reason, however, to expect some improvement during the coming months, when supplies from Malaya will certainly help to make good deficiencies from other sources, though not to the extent which I was at one time hoping.