§ 103. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Food what are the comparative prices and tonnages and the relative nutritional values of maize and carcases of meat carried in ships of similar tonnages; and what are the total tonnages of each shipped from the Argentine to this country in the last six months.
§ Mr. StracheyDuring the six months July-December, 1947, 341,000 tons of maize and 165,000 tons of meat were shipped from the Argentine at an average price per ton f.o.b. of £17 and £68 respectively. One ton of maize carried in bulk requires 45 cubic feet of space, and one ton of meat requires 85 cubic feet. Used for direct human consumption maize has a nutritional value of 1,658 calories and 41 grams of protein per pound, compared with 1,335 calories and 59 grams of protein for Argentine meat. When maize is used as a feedingstuff for animals the net yield in calories for human consumption varies according to its use between 8 per cent. and 25 per cent. of its original value as human food. On the basis of a mean value of 15 per cent. the calories obtained per pound sterling and per hundred cubic feet of shipping space for these shipments are as follows:
236W
Thousand Calories. Per pound Sterling Per 100 cubic feet of shipping space Maize 33 1238 Meat 44 3518
§ 104. Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Food how much meat, received from the Argentine, is being re-sold to France; and what is the cost of this transaction to Britain in dollars.
§ Mr. StracheyWe are not selling any meat to France.