asked the Minister of Food the average price in American cents per lb. that he gave for Cuban sugar since 1st January, 1947, to the latest available date.

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

Will the Minister confirm or deny what I am informed on good authority is the position—that under free enterprise, the Americans paid four cents a pound for Cuban sugar and under State bulk buying the Minister of Food paid five and a half cents for the same sugar?

I can deny the latter part of the question, the first part is not my responsibility.