§ 90. Mr. CARTLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the storage capacity of granaries in Great Britain; if filled, for how long would it be possible to supply our grain requirements without imports; and how much grain is being stored in granaries at the present time?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe total grain storage capacity of granaries in ports in Great Britain is estimated at 1,500,000 tons or roughly 10 weeks' supply; the total stock of wheat in port granaries at 1st March was estimated by the Corn Trade News at 214,000 tons.
§ Mr. CARTLANDIs the right hen. Gentleman satisfied with the position, and, if not, will he make a survey of our requirements?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe question of food stores is under constant survey.
§ Mr. THORNEDo these figures include the anticipated granary, the largest in the country, which is being established in Liverpool at the present time?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. It is only the available space, but I am hoping that it will be largely added to.
§ Mr. SANDYSDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that in the event of war breaking out and our communications being cut it is a small consolation to us to know that there is sufficient storage capacity when in point of fact our granaries are only a percentage full?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANGranaries cannot be an effective security against the risks of war unless they are full.