§ 45. Mr. De Chairasked the Prime Minister whether he will give time for discussion on the Notice of Motion relating to agricultural expansion, standing in the name of the hon. Member for South-West Norfolk, which has received the signed support of over 100 hon. Members?
§ [That this House believes that the supply of home-grown food is an all-important aspect of defence; is convinced that no plan for the expansion of the agricultural output coming into operation only on the outbreak of war could yield the desired results; and therefore urges His Majesty's Government to set up a food production council, co-operating with the Ministry of Agriculture, or to take such other steps as it thinks advisable to aim at increasing to full capacity of production the output of home-grown foodstuffs within the next three years, through adequate Government stimulus, as an integral part of the defence programme.]
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin)I fully appreciate the importance of home food production in connection with National Defence, and I can assure my hon. Friend that every aspect of this matter is receiving the fullest attention. I regret that I cannot undertake to provide special facilities for the purpose indicated, but, as my hon. Friend is aware, there is still an opportunity for this subject to be ballotted for as a Private Member's Motion. The matter can also be raised in the normal course of business.
§ Mr. De ChairCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government are taking steps to expand the home production of home agriculture before war breaks out?