§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food on what basis he decides the price he will pay for whale oil; and whether he will in future allow private traders in competition to tender for whale oil contracts.
§ Mr. StracheyOn the basis of ordinary commercial considerations. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No."
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food why the price to be paid by his Department to Messrs. Salvesen and Co. for whale oil, after having been fixed at £80 a ton, was finally raised to £100 a ton; and what was the total amount paid to Messrs. Salvesen in the years 1946–47 and 1947–48 and the price per ton.
§ Mr. StracheyThe price of £80 a ton for the 1946–47 catch was a minimum and the agreement provided that the final price should be that paid to the Norwegians, which was £100 a ton. The total amount paid to Messrs. Salvesen for their 1946–47 catch was £5,310,715 and for their 1947–48 catch £5,647,370. The price was £100 a ton for 1946–47, and £90 a ton for 1947–48.