§ 45. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Prime Minister whether he has set up a special committee to examine the question of food supplies in time of war; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take immediate steps to increase food production in this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The various aspects of this question are dealt with in the appropriate Departments, and co-ordination is secured in the Committee of Imperial Defence. I do not think that the appointment of a special committee is necessary. As regards the last part of the question, my hon. Friend is no doubt aware of the steps taken by His Majesty's Government in recent years to safeguard the production of foodstuffs in this country, and I would remind him that the gross output from farms in this country increased by 14 per cent. from 1931 to 1934.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that in this question Scotland and England will be treated as one unit, and that there will be the closest co-operation between the Minister of Agriculture and the Scottish Office in regard to the general question of food supplies in this country?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANCan the Prime Minister say how many food committees are in existence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot without notice.
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBWhile it is true that we have increased the quantity of food produced, is not percentage of that produce to consumption still very small?
§ Mr. THORNEDo the Government think it advisable to bring in a compulsory land cultivation bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe have not contemplated that step.
§ 55. Mr. SANDYSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of grain storage in relation to national defence, he will consider transferring the responsibilities for this question from the President of the Board of Trade to the Minister for the Coordination of Defence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question whether special action by the Government in regard to grain storage is called for at any time as an emergency measure is primarily a defence question and, accordingly, comes within the province of the Committee of Imperial Defence; but, in general, questions relating to food supplies other than those affecting home productions are within the province of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. CARTLANDIs the Prime Minister aware that, on this matter, there is immense anxiety, which has not been dissipated by the answers given to questions recently, and will he cause a Government statement to be made at a very early date?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhen there is anxiety, the best course to take is to have a Debate in this House on the subject. It is quite impossible to allay anxiety by answers to questions.
§ Mr. SANDYSCan the Prime Minister give an assurance that the Government are taking active measures to remedy the dangerous position which was revealed by the statement made last week by the President of the Board of Trade that the grain supplies of this country would not last for more than ten days?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have a large number of questions on the Paper.
§ 56. Sir J. LAMBasked the Prime Minister to which of His Majesty's Ministers in the House of Commons questions relating to the supply of food for human and cattle consumption as a national defence Service should be addressed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERQuestions relating to the home production of food supplies for human or animal consumption should be addressed to the Minister of Agriculture. As regards other questions relating to the supply of foodstuffs, I would suggest that in the first instance they should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade or the Minister of Agriculture according as they are concerned with foodstuffs for human or animal consumption.
§ Sir J. LAMBDoes that apply equally to the national defence Services?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should think it would be the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYCan the Prime Minister say whether the Minister of Agriculture can speak for Scotland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.