§ 46. Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation which will have the effect of causing wheat to be milled in the United Kingdom instead of being imported as flour, and thereby providing employment for a very large number of ex-service and other unemployed, whilst at the same time providing cheap feeding-stuffs for British stock raisers and poultry farmers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe only means by which the object which my hon. and gallant Friend has in view could be secured would be either by an import duty or by an absolute prohibition of the importation of flour. His Majesty's Government are not prepared to adopt either of these courses.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not a fact that this will have no effect on the cost of living to the poor of this country, and will not the Government consider the matter with a view to providing by new avenues the employment which is so imperatively necessary, in view of the present cost to the taxpayer?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is a very difficult problem, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows. I spent a good many years myself trying to solve it, but I was not successful.