HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc276-7W
Sir W. Smiles

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many tons of rice he expects to get from Thailand during 1946 to feed the people of India.

Mr. McNeil

As in the case of the exportable surplus from all other important rice exporting countries, the allocation to consumer territories of all rice procured from Siam for export is in the hands of the Combined Food Board in Washington, which takes its decisions periodically in the light of constantly changing circumstances. I am not therefore in a position at present to give any estimate of the amount of Siamese rice which will be allocated to India during 1946. I can only say that every effort is being made by His Majesty's Government to procure the maximum amount of rice from Siam for allocation by the Combined Food Board.