§ 27. Mr. TICKLERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that owing to the stopping of the sale of cotton-seed cake the supply of milk is being affected and that the storing of this cake for winter use is likely to result in quantities being rendered unfit for consumption; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ 74. Colonel WHELERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if the delivery of dairy-cattle feeding cakes to farmers has been stopped till 1st October, 1918; and whether he will take steps to see that dairy farmers can get supplies of such cake, as at this time of year the quality of the grazing begins to deteriorate and some feeding cake is necessary for dairy cows if the milk supply is to be kept up?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Major Astor)I have been asked to reply. Owing to the serious shortage of cattle-feeding cakes, and the necessity of conserving supplies for use during the autumn and winter months, when grass is not available, the Food Controller has been reluctantly obliged to place a temporary prohibition on their delivery. Priority certificates are, however, being issued in respect of dairies situated in urban areas where the cows have not access to pasture land, and the Food Controller is prepared to consider the advisability of issuing similar certificates in any case of proved necessity. As these cakes are stored under the best conditions, and submitted to frequent and careful inspection, it is not anticipated that any deterioration will result.
§ Colonel WHELERIs it not essential that, owing to grass deteriorating very much at this time of the year, there should be an increased amount of these feeding cakes liberated?
§ Major ASTORI am aware of what my hon. and gallant Friend says. The difficulty is that there is a great shortage of feeding-stuffs. As my right hon. Friend has said, he is prepared to consider the advisability of issuing certificates in any ease of proved necessity.