§ 23. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a surplus of fresh butter is now being reported from various districts; whether, in view of this and the need for conserving this surplus, it is the policy of his Department that families should be permitted to acquire supplies of butter for the purpose of preserving it for household use; and under what conditions this can be done?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the notice which has been issued to food control committees on this subject. Self-suppliers of butter are at present entitled to a 50 per cent. increase on the ordinary butter ration, and it is proposed to allow the same privilege to persons who preserve butter under the new scheme. No special ration cards or coupons will be required for the purpose. The Food Controller is also giving all possible encouragement to the collection of surplus summer butter for blending.
§ Brigadier-General McCALMONTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this 1734 surplus of food includes a. large stock of Irish butter and whether there is such a thing as a surplus of Irish butter?
§ Mr. CLYNESI cannot say that this includes any surplus of Irish butter.
§ General McCALMONTAre we to understand that, despite the prohibition of export from Ireland except by licence, there is no surplus of Irish butter coming from Ireland?
§ Mr. CLYNESMy hon. Friend may understand that.