asked the Minister of Food why tinned sausage meat, Vienna style, which was packed in the U.S.A. in 1942 and sold by N.A.A.F.I. at is. 6d. per lb., was subsequently released to the public at 3s. 2d. per lb.

Canned Vienna sausage was imported under Lend-Lease for Services requirements, and, as there had been no previous imports, it was at that time issued to N.A.A.F.I. at a price in line with that for home produced canned sausages which were priced at cost. After Lend-Lease ended, the price was adjusted to cover American selling prices.

Why should the public be forced to pay 3s. 2d. a lb. for this meat, which only a few months earlier was apparently sold at 1s. 6d. per lb?

Because Lend-Lease ended.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the Government will not follow too closely the practice of private enterprise in realising a profit on these things.