§ 39. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he has received complaints of the manner in which feeding-stuffs are controlled and distributed by the Food Controller; and has he requested the control of feeding-stuffs by his Department and through the agricultural committees throughout the country?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)The Board of Agriculture have received numerous complaints respecting the control of feeding-stuffs. The substance of these complaints has been transmitted to the Ministry of Food, with whom the Board has for some time discussed the scheme of distribution to be adopted in the light of the supplies and requirements which may now be anticipated. The Board is not a United Kingdom authority, and has no powers to control manufacturers. The reply to, the second part of the question is therefore in the negative.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it not a fact that the distribution of foodstuffs is so unsatisfactory because the Department of the Food Controller has no machinery in the country through which they can operate in regard to the distribution of foodstuffs?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI am afraid that is so.
§ Sir R. COOPERCan it not be remedied? We want to get on with the War and get food for the people, and cannot something be done?