§ LORD LYLE OF WESTBOURNEasked His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called to the recent arrangements to ship 7,800 tons of Kaffir corn from South Africa to Norway at 77s. 6d. per ton; and whether in view of the vital importance of bringing more feedstuffs to this country to enable the pig and poultry population to be increased, steps will be taken to ensure that the maximum possible supplies of grain will be bought for this country from South Africa.
§ THE EARL OF HUNTINGDONI presume that the arrangements referred to by the noble Lord are those reported in the issue of theFinancial Times dated July 7, last. I would point out, however, that the figure of 77s. 6d. per ton contained in that report represents the cost of freight only, and does not represent the cost of the corn. As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government would, of course, be glad to be able to obtain substantial quantities of feedstuffs from South Africa; the difficulty, as the noble Lord is doubtless aware, is to find means of payment for such supplies.
House adjourned at six minutes before four o'clock.