§ 52. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Food, if he has given instructions that special efforts should be made by the British representatives in the Argentine to endeavour to make available more linseed oil.
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. And 27,000 tons of Linseed Oil are now being shipped to us.
§ 84. Mr. Nuttingasked the Minister of Food when it is expected that His 247W Majesty's Government's recent purchases of linseed oil from the Argentine will reach this country, in view of the stock position now existing in the paint manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. StracheyThe first shipment reached London last week. A second ship is now loading; and sufficient freight space has been booked to cover the remainder of the purchase.
§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Food what price he offered last summer for Argentine linseed oil when 7,000 tons were bought by the U.S.S.R.; and what price he is now paying for the same commodity.
§ Mr. StracheyI believe the hon. Member has in mind the purchase made on behalf of U.N.R.R.A. At that time negotiations with the Argentine on behalf of the United States were in the hands of the U.S.A. not the United Kingdom. In late July of this year the U.S.A. agreed to hand the buying over to an International Emergency Food Council Mission who made early in August a substantial purchase on behalf of the United Nations. In this case, owing to the nature of the transaction, the price has already been publicly stated and I can therefore give it. It was 186 pesos per 100 kilos free alongside, equivalent to £139 13s. 5d. per ton.