§ 51. Colonel SANDERSasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Food Controller has requested landlords to shoot as many pheasants, rabbits, etc., as possible while the Minister of Munitions refuses to allow them to purchase cartridges to do so; and whether he will take steps to see that the purchase of cartridges for the shooting of game is no longer obstructed?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)Under the terms of the Order issued by competent military authorities, licences for the purchase of sporting cartridges may be issued where the War County Agricultural Committee is satisfied that they are required for destroying vermin or preserving crops. The policy embodied in the Order was adopted largely at the instance of the Food Production Department of the Board of Agriculture. I am not prepared to take the steps suggested in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last two seasons over 30,000 head of game have been dispatched by one organisation to the London hospitals, and is the distribution of cartridges now to be exclusively confined to farmers, and none issued to any other persons for the destruction of game?
§ Dr. ADDISONI take it the other persons would be able to obtain them if they satisfied the War Agricultural Committee that they would be thereby preserving crops. The reason for the Order is the shortage of lead.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman not take into consideration the question of the provision of food? Has he nothing to do with the provision of food?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat is not within the province of the Minister of Munitions. So far as the Order is concerned, we are about to cut short many essential industries owing to the shortage of lead. This is one of the directions in which we have to stop the use of lead.
§ Dr. ADDISONA large number of tons.
§ Dr. ADDISONI will answer that question if the hon. Member gives me notice.