§ 80. Major NALLasked the Food Controller whether the Wheat Commission is imposing on corn dealers an obligation to take a proportion of beans and Irish oats when buying maize for horse feeding; and, if not, whether, seeing that this practice is contrary to an undertaking given by the Director of Contracts on 22nd January, he will say what action he proposes to take to prevent corn dealers imposing this obligation on their customers?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No such obligation has ever been placed upon horse owners, the arrangement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers having been introduced for cattle-feeding purposes only as a temporary measure. This arrangement has now been withdrawn, and no dealer is authorised to insist upon the sale of beans in combination with maize, except where he holds stocks already bought under this obligation; it is believed that the stock of beans so held is now very small. I may add that there is still a marked shortage of maize and that strict economy is necessary in its use.