§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider, when contemplating a further purchase of United States farm products, making the details of the goods in question public with a view to ascertaining whether home or Commonwealth suppliers are in a position to fulfil his requirements.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI assume that the Question refers to purchases of farm products under the United States Mutual Security Act. The sterling counterpart of these purchases is appropriated in aid of the United Kingdom defence budget so that the imports are in effect a form of aid to the United Kingdom economy. I am satisfied that the steps already being taken to ensure that normal marketings from home and Commonwealth sources are not displaced are adequate.