§ Sir JOHN SPEAR (by Private Notice)I beg to ask the Minister for Food if he is aware that in Devon and Cornwall many thousands of fat cattle are ripe for slaughter, but cannot be disposed of by farmers, because of the small demand now being made for such cattle for grading; 103 and is he aware that many of these beasts are declining in condition, and yet consuming food intended for the purpose of preparing lower-grade animals for slaughter in ensuing months, and in order to relieve the congestion could he not arrange for the slaughter of a large number of these cattle and place the meat in cold storage, for winter use, when meat will be very scarce; and will he put in force a more expeditious method of liberating damaged corn in order to enable farmers to complete the fattening of more stock for winter killing?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Major Astor)I am aware that the supply of fat cattle is in excess of the requirements under the present scale of rationing, and that grass-fed cattle are bound to decline in condition unless arrangements can be made for yarding them. The Food Controller cannot increase the existing ration now without an equivalent reduction after Christmas, as there is no present proposal of any further imported supplies. It is, therefore, essential for our supply of meat early next year to encourage the farmer to keep his beasts until after Christmas; but it is fully recognised that the actual and prospective dearth of feeding-stuffs makes his task difficult.
The question has been discussed with the Central Agricultural Advisory Council, who have made suggestions to the Food Controller for the purpose of relieving the situation, and these are being sympathetically considered. Meantime, all possible means of utilising fresh meat are being adopted; arrangements have been made for supplying the Home Forces, both Naval and Military, so far as possible, with home-killed meat, and an endeavour is being made to export some quantities to France. The frozen meat thus saved will be stored for subsequent use.
There is no plant available for freezing any considerable quantity of fresh meat, but steps are being taken to provide cold storage which will enable such meat to be kept in a chilled condition for a certain time. In view of the fact that it is impossible to import sufficient frozen meat to provide the necessary meat ration for the first four months of the year out of frozen meat only, the Food Controller hopes that farmers will do their utmost to hold over their cattle as long as possible. The arrangements made for administer- 104 ing the Cereals (Restriction) Order are working satisfactorily. From 1st September to 9th October, 23,423 quarters of damaged grain were released for feeding purposes. Nearly 5,000 applications have been dealt with, and approximately nine-tenths of these were successful.
An Order is being drafted to register grist millers to fix a maximum charge for the mechanical treatment of cereals and pulse, and to fix minimum prices at the cost of ingredient, plus the permitted charge for such treatment. The Order will prohibit the addition of husk and worthless material, and the gristing of composite meals consisting of cereals and pulse, and will provide for weekly or fortnightly reports from all grist millers of the composition of the meals, of the cost of the ingredients into the mill, and of the price charged ex mill.
§ Captain Sir BEVILLE STANIERMay I ask if he is aware that not only in Devonshire and Cornwall, but in practically every county in England this same sending back of the animals from market is going on, and the quality and the quantity of the beef which will be required this winter will be lessened, inasmuch as the farmers have got neither the grass nor the feeding stuffs to keep them alive; and cannot he go further and deeper into the question of chilling this meat for further use?
§ Sir J. SPEARMay I ask if he realises that the holding back of this cattle at present will reduce the supply for winter use, because these animals are eating food that was intended to keep up lower grade animals and perfect them for winter use?
§ Major ASTORThe Food Controller is quite aware of the difficulties which farmers are experiencing. It has had the attention of the Department for some time, and he hopes to make an announcement shortly. At the moment, generally speaking, only first grade animals are being slaughtered.
§ Colonel WEIGALLAre we to understand that the whole question of the feeding-stuffs and home-produced cereal feeding-stuffs is to be reconsidered; and, if so, will the advice of the Central Advisory Council be taken, in view of the fact that the present programme was agreed on without consulting the Advisory Council?
§ Major ASTORAs I said just now, the suggestions of the Central Advisory Council are being sympathetically considered by the Food Controller. I am afraid there is no prospect of revising their whole feeding-stuffs programme, because that depends on the military programme. It is only because of the necessity of bringing over a large number of American troops that the feeding-stuffs programme has had to be cut down.
§ Colonel WEIGALLThen how is their advice being considered? If the programme has already been agreed on, what is the use of asking their advice?
§ Major ASTORThey have made various suggestions for dealing with the present excessive number of cattle coming on to the market, and those suggestions are being considered.
§ Colonel WHELERWill the hon. and gallant Member say on how many days a week it is proposed to feed the Home Forces on home-killed meat?
§ Major ASTORI think at the present moment the Home Forces are being fed four days a week, but we hope to be able to increase that.
§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether his Department is aware that in every market throughout East Anglia there is this going back of beasts for which there is no sale, and will he also say whether his Department and the Board of Agriculture are exactly in unison and acting together in this matter, or will there be some fresh machinery arranged to enable them to act entirely together in the interests of the farmers?
§ Major ASTORThe Food Controller has been in constant touch with the three Boards of Agriculture, as well as the Central Advisory Council. The Ministry are aware of the fact that a large number of markets—[Sir F. FLANNERY: All of them!]—are not able to absorb the number of cattle coming, and at the moment only first-grade cattle are being slaughtered.
§ Colonel YATEWill the hon. and gallant Member say who is responsible for the Orders that resulted in this glut of beasts?
§ Major ASTORThe glut is not due to any Order. It is due to the military programme and the need for bringing over an increased number of American troops. 106 That has meant a cutting down in the quantity of imported feeding-stuffs, and the Food Controller is confident that as soon as this is appreciated by farmers they will do all in their power to assist.
§ Mr. DENMANWill farmers be allowed to use their own damaged corn, instead of having to sell it and buy it back at an enhanced price?
§ Major ASTORThere is no restriction except as regards price upon the sale of damaged grain, except when sold by retail—that is to say, quantities of 10 cwts. or less. Farmers are allowed to use their own damaged corn.
§ Sir J. SPEARIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and the insufficiency of the remedy to meet the disaster, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment to-night.