asked the Minister of Food, whether, in view of the small quantities of nuts at present available, he will consider releasing moderate quantities of monkey nuts to fruiterers for sale on the open market.

Monkey nuts—or groundnuts—are required for the manufacture of margarine, and, as this is still in short supply, I cannot permit the retail sale of these nuts, except to vegetarians. We believe that we may succeed in importing as many nuts of all kinds for sale by retail this year as prewar.

Can we take it that this Question, and the previous Question, mean that in future, under the Socialist regime, we can look forward to monkey nuts and ginger beer, instead of port and walnuts?

When the right hon. Gentleman says "in short supply," does he mean "scarce"?