§ 41. Mr. GRETTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will consider the advisability of stopping all export of malt from this date until the barley available from the forthcoming harvest has been accurately ascertained?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)The export of malt is at present severely restricted, but I am unable to give such an undertaking as is suggested.
§ Mr. GRETTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the exports of malt, in spite of the restriction, are more than twice as large as they were during the year before the War?
§ Mr. ACLANDYes; countries like Holland have had all their malt supplies from Germany cut off, and, provided we are certain none of the malt we are sending them is getting through to Germany, it is not unreasonable to allow it to go.
§ Mr. GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider that the export of 360 beer from these neutral countries into Germany is equivalent to exports of malt, as malt is required to make beer?
§ Mr. ACLANDThat is one of the questions which are constantly under consideration.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of stopping the manufacture of malt with a view to conserving the food of the people?