§ 68. The following question to the Food Controller stood on the Paper in the name of Mr. WRIGHT:
§ "6. To ask the Food Controller whether, without interference with the tonnage allocated to the transport of troops and munitions, in view of the effect of the shortage of concentrated feeding-stuffs not only on the maintenance of our present production of meat and milk but also on our production in the future of cereals and other crops from arable land, he will take steps to see that a larger proportion of tonnage is allocated to food and concentrated feeding-stuffs than as now arranged?"
§ Mr. WRIGHTThis question is not as I put it down. The question I wish to ask is whether of the tonnage allocated to food and feeding-stuffs a larger proportion will be allocated to feeding-stuffs than has already been arranged?
§ Major ASTORThat has already been done, and the Government has taken steps to increase the imports as soon as possible. It is impossible to allocate a larger proportion of tonnage to food and concentrated feeding-stuffs without reducing the amount available for transport of troops and munitions. Of the tonnage placed at the disposal of the Food Controller no greater quantity can be devoted to the transport of feeding-stuffs without risking the supplies of human food.
§ Mr. WRIGHTWill the Food Controller at the earliest moment allowed by any change in the general situation urge the Government to reconsider its decision?
§ Major ASTORThat will be borne in mind.
§ 69. Mr. WRIGHTasked the Food Controller how, without concentrated feeding-stuffs, fat cattle fit for grading sent to the markets and returned to the farms are to be fed so as to maintain their weight?
§ Major ASTORThe Food Controller is fully aware of the difficulty which faces those farmers who rely entirely upon grass to maintain at this period of the year the weight of their cattle now fit for slaughter; every effort is being made to give such cattle priority in selection for slaughter.