§ 49. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of adequate food supplies in the event of war; and whether any special machinery of Government has been set up to co-ordinate information and policy in regard to this matter?
§ Sir T. INSKIPMy hon. Friend is aware that a special sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence has been set up to examine all aspects of our food supplies in the event of war. This committee is engaged upon the work to which the second part of my hon. Friend's question refers.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYCan my right hon. Friend say who is the chairman of this committee
§ Sir T. INSKIPNo, Sir. This is a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and the constitution of such committees is not revealed.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan my right hon. Friend say when the conclusions of this committee will be submitted to the House?
§ Sir T. INSKIPNo, Sir. The committee is engaged upon the examination of the facts at present, and I can only say that conclusions will be reached as soon as is consistent with the magnitude of the question.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan we have any information as to the conclusions?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI hope so, some day.
§ Mr. SANDYSHave any steps yet been taken to fill the existing granaries to their full capacity?
§ Sir T. INSKIPThat is another question. If my hon. Friend means, Are they now full to their complete capacity? the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. SANDYSAre steps being taken to fill them?
§ Sir T. INSKIPThe question of the storage of grain is one of the questions which is being considered by the committee.
§ Mr. GALLACHERArising out of these answers, taken in conjunction with the fact that all authorities agree that war means the end of civilisation, is there any sense in storing up food in that way?
§ 50. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in considering the question of food supplies from the point of view of national defence, he is directing attention to the fishing industry; and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that the fishing fleets shall be adequate for all emergencies?
§ Sir T. INSKIPThe questions now under consideration with regard to food supplies in time of war necessarily cover the supply of fish, and the adequacy of the fishing fleets in this connection will, come under review.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill it come under review by the sub-committee to which my right hon. Friend referred on the last question?
§ Sir T. INSKIPYes, Sir.
§ 51. Lieut.-Commander TUFNELLasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in view of the vulnerability of London in regard to receiving supplies during the War, the necessity of keeping the city supplied with food, and the greater risk to railways than to roads through aeroplane attack, he will consider formulating a scheme for organising or planning the adequate provision of roads for conveying supplies from the West Coast or other less exposed ports to the Metropolis?
§ Sir T. INSKIPAs I indicated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Cleveland (Commander Bower) on 17th June, a special committee is dealing with the whole question of the diversion of imports, their reception at alternative ports, and distribution therefrom. This task includes an examination of the capacity of all means of internal transport. The needs of the London area will be borne in mind. The object is to have adequate plans in readiness for any emergency.
§ Miss WILKINSONHas the right hon. Gentleman a sub-committee working on the possible date of the next. war?