§ 14. Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what stocks of malt at present exist in the country; whether they are capable of being used for human food; and, if so, what arrangements the Controller of Food proposes to take to prevent their beng consumed in the making of beer and vinegar?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)There are about one million quarters of brewers' malt in this country to-day, an amount sufficient to satisfy the reduced requirements of brewers for a period of six months from the present time. There is no available record of the stocks of malt used in the manufacture of other commercial products. It is considered that the diversion of these stocks from the purpose for which they were intended would be extravagant and undesirable. As regards the last part of the question, I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. Member by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 2nd April.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question: whether they are capable of being used for human food?
Captain BATHURSTOh yes, Sir, they are capable of being used for human food, but it would be a most uneconomic use to put them to, especially in the case of 1498 brewers' malt which is different from the dietetic malt which at the present time is used for bread-making.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand then that there is no shortage of food in this country?
Captain BATHURSTNo, Sir; you are to understand that there is nothing of the sort. There is a prospective shortage of food, and it is for us to recognise it, and act accordingly.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSRecognising that fact, will the Government allow this food to be wasted?