§ Major O'NEILL(by Private Notice) asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that, as a result of the Order issued on the 3rd inst. limiting the export of potatoes from Ireland, much loss and inconvenience to farmers and waste of potatoes will be caused owing to the fact that many of the potatoes which are bagged and ready for shipment will go bad; and will he issue instructions postponing the operation of this Order, at least until next month, so as to prevent the loss of a quantity of valuable food?
§ Mr. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)No Order has been issued by the Ministry of Food limiting the export of potatoes from Ireland.
§ Major O'NEILLMay I ask the hon. Gentleman, if no Order was issued by his Department, would it not be the natural thing for him to have communicated with the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), so that he could have given some answer in this matter in the House this afternoon?
§ Mr. PARKERThe reply to that question is that I believe the Irish Department of Agriculture did contemplate issuing such an Order, but the Ministry of Food were opposed to it, so the Order was not issued.