§ 52. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps he is taking to increase the supply of feeding-stuffs for poultry, in view of the fact that there is now a great shortage of eggs coupled with the need to keep down their import to the lowest possible level?
§ Mr. BoothbyFeeding-stuffs are being imported so far as shipping is available. The Government have decided that priority of supplies must be given to cattle and sheep, and poultry keepers have been warned by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State for Scotland, that their supplies of purchased feeding-stuffs may have to be reduced to one-third of their pre-war requirements by October. In view of the shortage of eggs, I cannot accept the suggestion that it is necessary to restrict their import to the lowest possible level.
§ Mr. HallWould it not be better to import feeding-stuffs for poultry rather than eggs? If the space is there, why not use it for feeding-stuffs?
§ Mr. BoothbyAs I said, we are importing the maximum possible amount of feeding-stuffs.
§ Mr. W. RobertsAre we to understand that the reduction mentioned in the answer refers to one-third of the pre-war poultry stocks?
§ Mr. BoothbyYes, Sir.
§ Mr. MathersWhat is the percentage of the reduction in feeding-stuffs in respect of sheep and cattle, as compared with that for poultry?
§ Mr. BoothbyI should like notice of that Question.