HC Deb 13 March 1917 vol 91 c881
3. Major HUNT

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether about 12,000 horses have lately been sold from Holland into Germany; and, seeing that many of these horses are used for food by the Germans, whether he can do anything to prevent Holland from supplying Germany with such amounts of food by giving more freedom to the British Navy to stop extra supplies of feeding-stuffs going to that country?

Lord R. CECIL

The answer to the first part of the question is, I believe, in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, it is not the general experience that scarcity of fodder diminishes the sale of livestock.

Major HUNT

Is not fodder grown in Holland?

Lord R. CECIL

There is a great deal of fodder, naturally, grown in Holland.

Major HUNT

Why import more if there is plenty of it?

Lord R. CECIL

The point is this: if you diminish the supply the price goes up and it becomes to the advantage of the farmer to sell his stock.