Meat Agreement (Uruguay)

Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 December 1948.

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Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington 12:00, 6 December 1948

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the recent meat contract with Uruguay.

Photo of Dr Edith Summerskill Dr Edith Summerskill , Fulham West

It would not be in the public interest to publish the full text of the meat agreement recently signed with the Uruguayan Government. I may say, however, that Uruguay has undertaken to send us 34,000 tons of meat during the year ending 17th February, 1949, at prices comparable with those which we are paying to Argentina. So far 17,323 tons, including 2,635 tons canned corned meat, have been shipped.

Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington

Is the hon. Lady aware that only one person, namely, the Minister of Food, is able to gamble with the taxpayers' money in this way and render no account of it? Is the hon. Lady also aware that the Ministry of Food is being fooled over this meat contract as it was over the Argentine contract, and will the Government return to private- enterprise buying and do away with bulk purchasing which necessitates bulk selling?

Photo of Mr Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre Mr Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre , New Forest and Christchurch

When the hon. Lady says that the price is comparable with that of the Argentine, can she say what is the percentage increase on the last contract, and would she confirm or deny the statement made in the Uruguayan Press that the prices have been raised by one-third?

Photo of Dr Edith Summerskill Dr Edith Summerskill , Fulham West

I would require notice of the first part of the supplementary question.

Photo of Captain Harry Crookshank Captain Harry Crookshank , Gainsborough

Can the hon. Lady say why it would not be in the public interest to give this information?

Photo of Dr Edith Summerskill Dr Edith Summerskill , Fulham West

I have explained time after time, as has my right hon. Friend, that if there are negotiations with different countries for meat, as, in fact, we are having, it is not wise and it is not good business to reveal to the world what we are paying.

Photo of Mr Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre Mr Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre , New Forest and Christchurch

If the hon. Lady says that negotiations are going on, I quite agree, but these negotiations to which I refer are complete. The Uruguayan Press state that the prices are one-third higher than they were the last time. Can she say whether that is true or not?

Photo of Dr Edith Summerskill Dr Edith Summerskill , Fulham West

I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman would agree that the housewives of this country would like an increase in the meat ration. Therefore, if we are looking elsewhere for meat, as we are, it would be unwise to reveal these prices.

Photo of Hon. Lancelot Joynson-Hicks Hon. Lancelot Joynson-Hicks , Chichester

Could the hon. Lady say whether this agreement covers more than one year's purchase, as she has referred to one year, and, if so, how many?

Photo of Dr Edith Summerskill Dr Edith Summerskill , Fulham West

Yes, Sir, it covers a year up to February, 1949.