§ 78. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Food Controller whether his Department, either directly or indirectly, during the months of May, June, and July, instructed shipping companies to refuse to accept consignments of cattle-feeding stuffs for Ireland; and if he will state how many shipping companies carried out these instructions?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe hon. Member refers probably to an arrangement made by the Ministry of Food in agreement with the Irish Department of Agriculture whereby licences for shipment were granted only to importers nominated by the Irish Department. This arrangement, which was of a temporary nature, began on the 27th June, and was intended to continue pending the settlement of a more satisfactory scheme which it is hoped will be settled immediately.
§ Mr. FARRELLDoes not that mean that the restriction will be withdrawn?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt is but temporarily in existence.
§ 79 and 80. Mr. FARRELLasked the Food Controller (1) what quantity of millers' offal was made in the three kingdoms for the first four months of this 2009 year; how much millers' offal was sent to Ireland during the same period; (2) what was the total output of cattle feedingstuffs during the first four months of 1918; and what quantity was made in Ireland during the same period?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe figures which the hon. Member requires are not at the moment available, I have given instructions that a Return should be prepared and sent to him. I may, however, state that in respect of oil cake and cake meals for Ireland the proportion in 1913 was taken as the basis of allocation. The allocation of millers' offals was left out of the question because England and Ireland were still manufacturing their normal proportion of offals, and also because of the possible increase in the imports of grain for this season's harvest in North and South America.
§ 81. Mr. FARRELLasked the Food Controller whether he recently issued instructions to feeding-stuffs manufacturers as to how these feeds were to be allocated as between England and Ireland; and if the manufacturers carry out these instructions?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My advisers are in consultation with the Irish Department of Agriculture with regard to the best method of distributing cakes and meals allocated to Ireland. Until fresh arrangements are completed, shipments by private firms will be continued in the usual way.