asked the Minister of Food what agreement has been reached with Australia for increasing Queensland meat production through the agency of the Overseas Food Corporation.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make an early statement on the scheme of the Food Corporation to raise pigs on a large scale in Queensland; and whether he can give an assurance that this scheme will not prejudice the long-deferred revival of the British pig industry.

The Overseas Food Corporation and the Queensland Government have agreed upon a scheme for the cultivation of coarse grains and later, possibly, sunflowers, on an area of about 300,000 acres in Queensland. The coarse grains will be used for animal feeding-stuffs, and in particular pig feed, partly in Australia, and partly in this country. The exact use of the crop will be decided in the light of commercial and other considerations from year to year. The sunflower seed will be used to produce edible oils for the manufacture of margarine, etc. Legislation has been approved by the Queensland Parliament giving legal powers for the establishment of a statutory company to be known as the Queensland British Food Corporation. It is estimated that the financial requirements of the scheme may amount to 2½ million Ls Australian, of which the Queensland Government have agreed to provide up to ½million £s Australian.

As regards the last part of the Question, the Government is determined to increase the food supplies of this country, both of home produced foods and of imported foods, especially from non-dollar sources. I have no reason to suppose that the revival of the British pig industry will be prejudiced by the arrangements I have described.

Can the hon. Lady say what the Australian participation will be in the management of this concern?

I understand that about 1,000 men will be employed, half of whom will be Australians and the other half British.

What is the position in regard to management?

The Corporation will be set up and we shall nominate the chairman and three members, and the Australians will nominate the vice-chairman and one member.