§ 10. Mr. WILESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that the Milling Order which comes into force on 1st May will prevent the further manufacture of dog biscuits; and, if so, will he give instructions for the immediate issue of orders and advice as to the feeding of dogs, or whether they are to be destroyed?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)The Wheat, Rye, and Rice Restriction Order, 1917, will prevent the manufacture of dog biscuits from wheat or wheaten flour, or from rye or rye flour. I am informed, however, that dog biscuits are in some cases made from millers' offals or from wheat or rye which has been so damaged as to be unsaleable for milling. With the manufacture of these the Order will not interfere. People must realise that they keep dogs at their peril; if they cannot feed them without wasting human food the dogs ought to be destroyed.
§ Mr. WILESCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman give some lead to owners of dogs, as they are very anxious at the present time. I believe there are 3,000,000 dogs and if he could give some advice to the keepers of dogs at the present time it would be very valuable.
§ Mr. WILESMay I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman if this is not very im- 2729 portant, owing to the fact that the manufacture of dog biscuits comes to an end at the end of this month?
Captain BATHURSTI have reason to know that an estimate is being made as to -what is the actual consumption by dogs of food fit for human consumption.