§ 27. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware of the loss that will be inflicted on pig keepers through their being unable to buy concentrated feeding-stuffs; and will there be any chance of the Order being modified?
§ Major ASTORI have been asked to reply. The allocation of the prospective supply of feeding-stuffs was agreed upon by the Board of Agriculture, the Central Agricultural Advisory Council, and the Ministry of Food. It was considered that dairy cattle, farm horses, and breeding stock should have priority. There is little prospect, in view of the limited supplies, that any concentrated feeding-stuffs will be available for store pigs after 25th January, and pig keepers can only be asked to make the fullest use of other foods, such as small potatoes and any local resources in the shape of waste. The situation is more fully dealt with in a notice issued by the Board of Agriculture to the Press on 25th, to which I would refer my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs it because there is a multiplicity of authorities that we have got this pig muddle now?
§ Major ASTORThe restriction in the quantities of feeding-stuffs is due to the decision of the Government to bring across the Atlantic more American troops and more munitions.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs it not a fact that the War Cabinet a little earlier in the year decided to encourage people to breed pigs?
§ Sir C. HENRYConsidering that the Ministry of Food encouraged cottagers to buy young pigs and rear them, and that now there is not the feeding-stuffs available to feed them, do the Government intend to give the cottagers any compensation?
§ Major ASTORIn the opinion of the Departments concerned, the best way of avoiding any loss to cottagers was to warn them as soon as possible of the situation that would arise in January.
§ Sir C. HENRYDoes my hon. Friend realise that they have bought these pigs I What is the use of telling them of the position that will arise after they have bought the pigs?
§ Mr. LOUGHCan my hon. Friend say whether this matter was dealt with in an agreement with the American Food Controller, Mr. Hoover, and, if so, will the agreement be placed upon the Table of the House?
§ Major ASTORThe final quantities of feeding-stuffs to be imported were settled by the Government.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a surplus of 500,000 tons of Indian corn in the Argentine which would make capital food for pigs, and that it is being used for fuel for engines? Why not bring it to this country to keep the pigs alive?
§ Major ASTORIf ships were diverted to the Argentine they would not be available for bringing American troops across here.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs the Government going to give compensation to poor cottagers who have sustained serious loss or who are likely to do so?