§ Mr. Walkdenasked the Minister of Food (1) in view of the fact that with the proposed de-control of poultry about 338W June next, it will be necessary for importers and dealers to secure advance contracts for supplies in sterling or hard currency countries; when he will indicate the facilities for the trade to negotiate business and contracts for the July to December supplies; and if the licences to import will be open to competitive trading or confined to pre-war importers;
(2) whether he is aware that, as a result of the Polish and Eireann trade agreements, importers and wholesale dealers in poultry are uncertain about advance buying at competitive prices for supplies to be delivered after June next; and if he will clarify the position so that importers may negotiate contracts for the latter half of the current year.
§ Mr. StracheyI am considering all these problems and shall make an announcement as soon as possible.