asked the Minister of Food why an import permit for cooking fats from Tanganyika was refused to Mr. H. Malcolm Ross.

Import licences cannot be granted to private importers for cooking fat because it is subject to international allocation and also because it is subject to rationing in this country. The Ministry of Food imports such cooking fat as can be made available to us from East African territories.

Is it the policy of the Government to suppress the activity of private traders and to remove competition by the bulk purchases of the Government?

It is the policy of the Government to put the needs of the people before the private interests of the trader.

Is it to assist the needs of the people for the hon. Lady's Minister to sign such rotten contracts with Ceylon?

Is it not a fact that the phenomenal rise in prices all over the world is mainly due to bulk purchases?