44. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that wheat offals produced in this country only contain 4 per cent. of flour, whereas Continental offals include 7 per cent. of flour; that in order to procure food of sufficient nourishment poultry producers are obliged to depend largely on foreign offals; and whether he will take steps to ensure that a larger proportion of flour is left in British offals?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have no information to the effect that the quantities of flour contained in British and Continental wheat offals respectively are so low as 183 stated in the question. Furthermore, my present information does not show that the standard quantities of wheatings and super wheatings now produced by Britain are inferior to wheat offals imported from abroad. I understand, in fact, that in their administration of the Wheat Act it is the practice of the Wheat Commission to tolerate at least 15 per cent. of flour in parcels described as "wheat offals," and that full use is made by British millers of this tolerance. The third part of the question would not seem therefore to arise.
Duchess of ATHOLLAs the information in the question was given to me by men engaged in the scientific breeding of poultry in this country, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain whether the percentages mentioned are correct?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have given the information that is in my possession. If the Noble Lady has any information to the contrary, I shall be glad to examine it.
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing feeling among farmers that they would rather have more British offals and keep out imported flour?