asked the Minister of Food what export target he has set for his Ministry; to which countries food is being sent; and if he will show the varieties, quantities and values of these foods.

The export target for the food and drink industries as announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 13th September, 1947, is £5,500,000 monthly by the end of 1948. The principal commodities are whisky, gin, beer, refined sugar and processed foodstuffs which have a high conversion value. Manufacturers are being urged to direct these exports, wherever possible, to hard currency countries.

Can the hon. Lady give an assurance that no oatmeal or oat products will be exported while oatmeal remains at four points a pound in this country?

I think I can, Sir.

What proportion of the £5,500,000 is attributable to food as distinct from drink?

I would have to have notice of that Question.

asked the Minister of Food what was the value of foodstuffs exported during the last three months, for which particulars are available, to dollar countries, non-dollar countries and the sterling area, respectively.

In the three months August to October, the latest period for which figures are available, the value of exports of foodstuffs, produced or processed in the United Kingdom was as follows: dollar countries, £3,562,000; non-dollar countries excluding the sterling area, £3,669,000; sterling area, £4,822,000.

Does not the hon. Lady agree that that is rather a large proportion for the non-dollar countries, and that our main object in exporting food, obviously, should be to get dollars?

I cannot agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman. He must realise that we are under obligation to export some of this food to our Colonies.

Certainly.

Of course, a great deal of that is contained in these figures.