Soya Beans

45.

Mr. Dodds-Parker
asked the Minister of Food what is the average price at which soya beans are bought by his Department; and at what price they are sold to manufacturers in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Webb
Soya beans are sold to manufacturers at £59 per ton, but my Department is a trading concern, and I am not prepared to disclose the prices at which we are buying.

Mr. Dodds-Parker
Although I suppose that within the meaning of the words the right hon. Gentleman's Department is a trading concern—though I do not think it would be accepted as such by any successful trading concern—is it not simple to ask the producers what price they get? Is it not  a fact that 34s. per cwt. is what the producer gets and does not the Minister consider that the margin between that price and 59s. is a little too much'?

Mr. Webb
All I can say is that I thought the profit was a very fair one.

Mr. Stanley
Are we to understand that the Government consider that the difference between 34s. and 59s. is a very fair profit?

Mr. Webb
I am not necessarily accepting the figure of £34 per ton.

Hon. Members
What is it?