§ 32. Mr. CHARLES ROBERTSasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has been asked by any War Agricultural Committee, or by any body of farmers, to state if it is in the national interest that the growing of hops in this country should continue; and whether he has already expressed, or will now express, any opinion on that subject?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe Board have received some inquiries on this subject, and the President has to-day addressed a letter to the Hop Growers' Association and to the War Agricultural Committees in the hop-growing counties calling attention to the further restrictions on the output of beer and the need for reducing the acreage of hops in proportion. He has, in that letter, also suggested that the land thus diverted from the growing of hops should at once be utilised to increase the essential food supplies of the nation.
§ Mr. ROBERTSDo we not want something more than suggestion? Do I understand the suggestion is that the hop land should be reduced to one-third of its present acreage? Has the hon. Gentleman any power to take further steps than suggesting?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI do not think it will be reduced to one-third, because we are stopping the import of hops, but it will be very considerably reduced, and we think this suggestion will be sufficient. If it is not, we shall take other steps.
§ Mr. G. FABERHow long will it take to bring the land into cultivation?
§ Mr. ROBERTSIs it not clear that you will get more by utilising this hop land for wheat and potatoes this year?
§ Sir R. WINFREYYes, but it is not very easy to turn hop land into corn land at a moment's notice.