§ 46. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Prime Minister whether, in dealing with questions relating to the supply of foodstuffs as a national defence service, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries will be able to answer for Scotland as well as England and Wales?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)So far as questions on the supply of foodstuffs in connexion with national defence relate to Great Britain's production as a whole, it would be a matter of convenience if they were addressed, in the first instance, to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, who would, of course, confer with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. Subject to this, all questions relating to production in Scotland should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Mr. ALEXANDERIn view of the repeated questions which are now being put to the Prime Minister on this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman take care that there is no panic buying of reserves for war in this direction such as would injure the consumer; or, at any rate, will he first have proper consultation on this matter with the Food Council?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that that question arises, but the right hon. Gentleman may rest quite assured that there is no prospect of what he deprecates.