§ 89. Mr. Edward Daviesasked the Minister of Food why Britain has recently declined to take 300,000 cases of tinned vegetables from Australia; and what is the present position.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe tinned vegetables which my hon. Friend has in mind are, I think, part of some supplies, consisting largely of canned potatoes, which were originally ordered for Services purposes, but were later found to be surplus to requirements. Had it been possible to have had them here after the disastrous weather in February and March had reduced fresh vegetables supplies, they would have been very useful but, of course, they would now arrive too late. Moreover, the Services have since made further demands against which it is intended to use them.