§ 32. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement of the Government's policy with regard to the poultry industry?
§ 36. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is able to make a statement on the Government's policy towards the poultry industry?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has indicated in reply to an earlier question, it is not at present possible for me to make any statement on this matter.
§ Mr. TurtonCan my right hon. Friend say when Sir Duncan Watson's Committee is likely to report?
§ Mr. MorrisonIf my hon. Friend is referring to the technical committee on poultry diseases, I have just received an advance copy of their report, and I expect it will be generally available in the course of a week.
33. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will now consider setting up a factory for the production of fish meal to enable the poultry farmers to obtain supplies of feeding-stuffs at a reasonable figure, in view of the continued difficulties of the poultry keepers to obtain a living?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 20th December last.
Mr. De la BèreWill the Government not consider taking steps, apart from these committees, to do something to aid the poultry industry of this country? Time marches on, and nothing is done at all.
§ Mr. MorrisonThe Government are closely considering the whole poultry situation, but I would point out that the supply of fish meal is a very small matter in the budget of a poultry keeper.
§ Mr. MuffIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that one of the largest fish-meal factories can be found in the City of Hull?