Mr. De la Bère:

asked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with the price of £34 16s. 3d. per ton recently paid for Argentine wheat, which compares with the price of £18 8s. 4d. per ton of English wheat, the Government will discontinue their methods of bulk purchase from Government to Government with a view to ultimately allowing the price of wheat all over the world to be equalised by the operations of the market.

No one can buy any Argentine wheat except from the Argentine Government. Moreover, our bulk buying has obtained us even this wheat at an appreciably lower price than some countries have had to pay.

Mr. De la Bère:

May we know when this disastrous policy of bulk purchase by Government Departments will cease? Is it not a fact that it is unfair to the home producer, to the nation and the taxpayer, and that it would be much better if we bought from places other than the Argentine?

The hon. Gentleman is perhaps not aware of the fact that there is no large wheat exporting country which is prepared to negotiate with us other than through the Government agencies.

Does not the hon. Lady realise that bulk purchasing inevitably means bulk selling?

No, I do not realise that. The hon. Gentleman must also remember that although this price may seem high—

Mr. De la Bère:

It is high.

Will the hon. Gentleman exercise a little patience so that I can give the answer? Although we are paying this price to the Argentine today, Brazil is paying £45 a ton. Furthermore, through bulk purchase we are paying only £15 1os. to Canada.

Can the hon. Lady say what part of the £34 16s. 3d. goes to the actual producer?

That is for the Argentine Government to decide.

Will the hon. Lady cite, in support of her argument for bulk purchase, the purchase of sugar from Cuba where she has paid five cents a lb.?

The Question refers to wheat not sugar.

Mr. De la Bère:

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, this will have to be raised on the Adjournment because it is an absolute national disgrace.

Is not the real explanation that the Socialist Governments of the Dominions are being more generous than the Tory Government of the Argentine?

No further Question can be raised once the Adjournment has been mentioned.