HC Deb 27 February 1900 vol 79 cc1204-5
MR. SETON-KARR () Lancashire, St. Helens

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the present crisis in South Africa and possible consequences that may arise there from, and also in view of the limited amount of breadstuffs (wheat and flour) in the United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Government will now consider the advisability of providing a minimum standing reserve of at least three months supply of bread- stuffs (wheat and flour) in this country as a part of our national system of defence.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As my hon. friend is aware, the subject of his question has been discussed in this House in debate, and in the form of question and answer it has been dealt with on other occasions. I do not know that T can add anything to what has before been said from this bench on the subject, nor do I think that the present war throws any light, one way or the other, upon the importance of the subject.