§ 60. Mr. FIELDasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that several doctors have expressed opinions that influenza is sometimes caused by the paucity of meat consumption; and 1098 whether, in view of those statements and the desirability of preventing food wastage caused by keeping over-fat live stock, he will reconsider the advisability of increasing meat rations?
§ Major ASTORThe Food Controller has not received any considered opinions from medical men to the effect that paucity of meat consumption is a contributory cause of influenza, and is advised that no scientific evidence can be adduced in favour of such an opinion. The Food Controller cannot increase the existing ration now without an equivalent reduction after Christmas, as there is no present prospect of any further imported supplies.
§ Mr. FIELDHas the hon. Gentleman not seen in the papers the opinions of medical men that the absence of meat is one of the causes of influenza?
§ Major ASTORThere is no unanimity among medical men on this point.
§ 61. Mr. FIELDasked the Food Controller whether, in view of deterioration by further delay and the losses sustained owing to want of notice, he will modify the order restricting exportation of Irish live-stock for a period necessary to clear the congested supplies in Dublin?
§ Major ASTORThe Food Controller regrets that he is unable at present to modify the existing restrictions as to the exportation of Irish fat stock. The situation at the markets in Great Britain is as serious as at Dublin and other Irish ports, and notwithstanding the restriction of Irish imports there has been a large surplus in this country which the Ministry of Food has been unable to accept for slaughter.
§ Mr. FIELDAre we to understand from that reply that the Food Controller is willing to reconsider the matter?
§ Major ASTORThis is a question which is constantly being considered by the Ministry.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that cattle which grow fat during the summer on grass will, now that the autumn season is coming on, lose flesh if they are retained in the country without being slaughtered?
§ Major ASTORThe Food Controller is aware of that, He understands that there is a certain number of people in Ireland who are able to keep these cattle.
§ Mr. LUNDONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the number of people in Ireland who go in for stall feeding is infinitesimal, and is he aware that grass-fed cattle will lose their condition rapidly during the winter months, and what is the good of keeping these cattle for the next five or six months when they cannot stall-feed them?
§ 64. Mr. LOUGHasked the Food Controller whether the Government have decided that it will not be possible to abolish ration books after the war is over and that an increase in our present ration cannot be expected; whether our usual methods of producing beef are not economical, as the steer must have 64 lbs. of dry fodder before it returns us 1 lb. of beef, and we may be forced to kill beef in the calf stage; whether it has been decided to cut imports of food down to a minimum; and, if so, whether he will arrange for this House to; have an early opportunity of discussing it?
§ Major ASTORI am not aware that any decision has been reached to the effect stated in the first part of the question, although the Food Controller has intimated that some time must elapse after the cessation of hostilities before normal conditions can be resumed. So far from the policy of the Food Ministry being in the direction indicated in the second part of the question, every endeavour, consistent with paramount military requirements, is made to procure such an amount of imported concentrated foods as will enable meat to be produced in this country, and maintain the population of live stock.
§ 66. Mr. FFRENCHasked the Food Controller if he is aware that injustice is being inflicted on farmers by compelling them to keep over-fat cattle until next spring; and if he can say if the Government has any intention of providing sufficient cold storage to deal with the surplus fat cattle at present on the farmers' hands?
§ Major ASTORI have already explained that while there is ample refrigerating accommodation for storage purposes, shortage of freezing plant and skilled labour makes it impossible to deal with the number of fat cattle now coming forward. It follows that the holding back 1100 of cattle at the present time is the only policy which will secure the necessary-meat ration for the first five months of next year. This policy involves no injustice to farmers; it involves inconvenience which I have no doubt will be cheerfully borne as part of a common sacrifice. It is anticipated that the additional expenditure incurred will be met by the increased maximum prices which have now been sanctioned.
§ Mr. FFRENCHSeeing that there is a movement on foot among British farmers to ruin the Irish cattle trade in so far as fat cattle are concerned, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will hurry up the necessary steps to relieve the situation.
§ Major ASTOREvery effort is being made to increase the feeding of cattle in this country.
§ Mr. LUNDONIs it a fact that this Order has been drafted in order that the English farmer may get the Irish cattle cheap, because the Irish farmer cannot find store for them.
§ Major ASTORThe Controller treats all farmers equally, both in Ireland and England.
§ Mr. KEATINGHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the rationing of meat?
§ 67. Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that at the Dublin Cattle Market held on the 24th instant there were 855 less cattle than at the previous market, and that the prices realised were in most cases a reduction on former prices; can he say whether the reduction in the number of cattle offered for sale and in the prices realised for those sold is a consequence of the recent Order restricting the number of cattle allowed to be exported from Ireland; and whether he will consider the revocation of this Order?
§ Major ASTORI understand that there was a considerable reduction in the number of cattle sold in Dublin last week, and that the prices realised were generally lower. This reduction was, no doubt, influenced by the restrictions on shipment which have recently been imposed. It seems, however, only fair that Irish farmers should share with British farmers some of the inconveniences of the War, 1101 and in order to secure equality of treatment it is necessary to maintain these restrictions.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORIs it not the fact that the Regulation has been made entirely in the interests of English farmers to the detriment of Irish farmers?
§ Major ASTORI can assure the hon. Gentleman that is not the case. It is the desire and intention of the Food Controller to treat all farmers in England and Ireland equally.
§ 70. Mr. WRIGHTasked the Food Controller what is the average weekly number of Irish fat cattle graded on this side of the Channel since 1st June, 1018; and what is the number of such animals so graded in the last four weeks, respectively?
§ Major ASTORThe average weekly number of Irish Eat cattle exported to Great Britain from Ireland since 1st June, is 8,292 while the numbers for the last four weeks are as follows:
The numbers of fat cattle actually graded for slaughter have been slightly lower than those that I have just stated, since a few of those imported as fat have been classified by the English inspectors as store cattle.
28th September 11,351 5th October 13,236 12th October 13,985 19th October 14,442
§ Mr. WRIGHTThen there is no foundation for saying that undue preference has been given to the English farmer as against the Irish farmer?
§ Major ASTORNo; I have already said that the Ministry of Food try to treat all farmers equally.