HC Deb 02 December 1936 vol 318 cc1258-9
50. Mr. SANDYS

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he can give particulars of the scope and organisation of the new Department which has been set op to deal with the question of national food supplies

Sir T. INSKIP

The Food (Defence Plans) Department will he responsible, under the President of the Board of Trade and in co-operation with me, for the organisation of supplies of food and feeding stuffs for defence purposes. The Department will not be directly responsible for home production in peace tune. This will continue to be the responsibility of the Agricultural Departments. The Food (Defence Plans) Department, however, will continue and complete the plans for the maintenance of supplies and for the control and distribution of food and feeding stuffs in all possible conditions of war. The volume of home production in peace time will, of course, be taken into account in the preparation of these plans. Consultation will take place with the Agricultural Departments, through which provision will be made for the further increase of home production as and when required.

Mr. SANDYS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in that connection, whether a decision has yet been taken as to the desirability of increasing the storage of grain?

Sir T. INSKIP

Yes, in parts. I do not want the hon. Member to suggest that the matter has now passed beyond the stage of consideration as to other proposals for storage.

Captain HEILGERS

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that storage in stacks is the most desirable way of storing grain?

Sir T. INSKIP

I am sure that that proposition has not been overlooked.

Mr. L. SMITH

Has the Department also considered storage for fertilisers which are not produced in this country and which will have to come in from abroad?

Sir T. INSKIP

I appreciate the importance of fertilisers, but that is a matter which would be considered primarily by the Agricultural Departments.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the work of the original Beveridge Committee has now terminated and has been transferred to the new Department?

Sir T. INSKIP

The Beveridge Committee completed its task of preparing plans for the rationing of food. The Department for which I am answering deals with the arrangements for providing food which, in such circumstances, would be rationed.