§ 69. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food what is the amount, by countries, of exportable wheat in the world; what is the amount of stocks in or on the way to Britain; and what is the quantity of stocks which will enable him to abandon bread rationing in Britain.
§ Mr. StracheyI am unable to say what amount of exportable wheat there is in all countries of the world at the present time, but the International Emergency96W Food Council has estimated that from 627 to 672 million bushels may be available from the four major exporting countries (Canada, United States, Argentina and Australia) during the present crop year. As regards the second part of the Question I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Dorset, Northern (Mr. Byers), on 10th July. The abandonment of bread rationing is dependent upon the general supply position and prospects and cannot be determined solely by the level of stocks held in the United Kingdom on any particular date.