HC Deb 31 October 1918 vol 110 cc1609-10
73 and 74. Mr. BOLAND

asked the Food Controller (1) the nature of the arrangement come to with cake crushers and others for the supply of feeding-stuffs to Ireland; whether the directions given by the Ministry in this connection are being complied with; if not, what steps the Food Controller proposes to take to have these directions carried out; (2) whether priority certificates for the supply of feeding-stuffs are being issued to stock owners in Great Britain; whether the allocation under these would absorb the total supplies available; and whether the effect has been to reduce the quantity coming to Ireland?

The MINISTER of FOOD (Mr. Clynes)

Manufacturers of cattle cake have been instructed that they may ship to Ireland through the usual trade channels 50 per cent. of the cakes and cake meals which they shipped in 1916. The complete fulfilment of this plan has been hampered by the demand for feeding-stuffs to meet the priority certificates which are being issued to stock owners in Great Britain until 17th November, 1918, when the cattle rationing scheme will come into operation. In view of the prevailing shortage of cattle feeding-stuffs and the unusual difficulties attending distribution, it is difficult to avoid an appearance of local and temporary injustice not only as regards Ireland, but in respect of different districts of England. Care will, however, be taken to redress the balance and to secure that every area receives its fair proportion, whatever that may be.

Colonel WHELER

Is, the right hon. Gentleman aware that 50 per cent. of the 1916 allowance of feeding-stuffs is to be permitted to be exported to Ireland, and how does that affect the position with regard to English cattle rearers and cattle dealers, who, I understand, will only have 70,000 tons of cattle feeding-stuffs against the 300,000 which they had last year?

Mr. CLYNES

The reply is not inconsistent with yesterday's answer.

Mr. FLAVIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that small traders in different parts of Ireland dealing direct are unable even to the present moment to receive any supply?

Mr. CLYNES

The position no doubt leads to injustice in some cases.

Mr. FLAVIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the small traders get the same facilities to obtain their percentage as the larger traders, because the larger traders are getting a monopoly of the cakes.

Mr. CLYNES

I will be glad to give full consideration to that aspect of the case.