asked the Minister of Food (1) the exact nature of the undertaking given by the Government to the cold storage industry in 1940, to the effect that Government-owned cold storage plant then being erected would not be used to compete with privately-owned cold stores; and if he still adheres to this pledge;(2) his policy with regard to the employment of cold-storage plant owned by the Government, now that his Department will shortly cease to be responsible for purchasing food.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the specific undertakings given to the industry. Briefly, the Government undertook among other things not to use these cold stores in unfair competition with the industry. I am anxious that the best use should be made of them consistently with these assurances and discussions on this basis are about to be opened with the industry.