§ Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Food to give details of the imports of other food from the United States of America given in the Trade and Navigation Accounts as totalling £14 million in value in 1952; and the reasons why it was necessary to spend dollars on any of these foodstuffs except lard.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeOf the total of £14 million, £13.8 million arises from imports of the following commodities:
£'000 c.i.f. Bladders and casings and sausage skins … 1,472 Dried fruits … 2,581 Lard … 8,552 Premier jus … 1,070 Molasses … 169 The reason for the expenditure of dollars on these commodities other than lard was that the necessary supplies were not obtainable except for payment in dollars or else were obtainable only at much higher prices. Imports of molasses are not the responsibility of my Department.