§ 21. Mr. W. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the reduction of 600,000 tons in the rice agreement made by Lord Killearn with Siam and announced in May, 1946, was not disclosed to the House although this reduction was agreed to in December, 1946.
Mr. McNeilThe hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that any agreement on rice was made between Lord Killearn and Siam. The reduction to which he draws attention was a modification of the Anglo-Siamese Formal Agreement of January, 1946. The text of this agreement, together with the amendments to it made from time to time, including the reduction in question, have now been assembled in one document and will be laid before the House as soon as possible.
§ 22. Mr. W. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the impossibility of raising the rice ration in Malaya at present, he will assure the House that the change of Government in Siam has in no way altered existing contracts; and in the case of Burma, whether he will give an assurance that the change in status of the Government has in no way altered the existing arrangements for the sale of rice.
Mr. McNeilThe changes in Government in Siam and the governmental status in Burma have not affected the rice arrangements in either country.