asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates the offer of £41,000 for orange juice held by his Department and found to contain preservative was made and accepted.

The sum of £41,000 was realised from about 40 separate sales to 16 buyers at various times up to December, 1954.

Is the Minister satisfied that this sum of £41,000 was the best possible price that could be obtained for this orange juice, which cost £250,000, if it was any good at all? Is he not aware that one man bought supplies through different sponsors and that he made a colossal fortune out of this orange juice? Will he say whether it was his Department that sold it or the Ministry of Supply on behalf of his Department?

Strenuous efforts were made to advertise and to see that the best possible price was obtained. The facts are as I have stated, and £41,000 was the best possible figure at which it could be sold.

Who sold it?

I should like notice of that question.

In view of the allegation that very substantial profits have been made on the resale of this orange juice, will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to look into the matter to make sure that there has been no reprehensible dealing in it and report to the Prime Minister?

The hon. Member will know that this matter has been discussed in the House over a long time now. He can rest assured that there was no reprehensible background to these sales.

But this is a new question.