OPPOSITION WINS DIVISION

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26393, 11 April 1951, Page 7

OPPOSITION WINS DIVISION

Commons Debate On Cheese Ration (Rte. 7 0.m.) LONDON, April I. Ihe Government ths defeated tonight by 237 votes to 219 oh an Opposition prayer against an order to reduefl the cheese ration from raa to tot a week. There is no question of the Government’s resignation, as no major policy * issue is involved. The Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr Herbert Morrison) said that the Government would accept the aeeuion of the House. Mr Henry Spence, who moved th* annulment of the Government order, said that the cut in the cheese ration came at a time when the meat ration was at its lowest. He contended that cheese was available abroad, particularly ih New Eealand and Canada, if business-like methods had been ratfl to get it; Imports o. cheese froth Ntw EeMkhd had fallen m IMO by 14,000 tons, ttenada had between Y.fioo.ooo and B,ofio.t)ft)lb of Cheese tor dispMal. Me Frederick Willey. Parliamentary Secretary to the Food Ministry, said that cheeee was not available to maintain the los ration. Britain got nearly the uhoie exportable surplus of New Zealand and Australia. Hie balance bad to come from the United States or Canada. There wns no other sovree. apart from Home Suppltes. H* added: “We are negotiating With Canada at the moment.’’