§ 17. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the serious position of sheep producers, owing partly to the increase in the number of ewes, by 500,000 and to the fact that farmers have been forced by the shortage of grass to throw their stock on the market, he will consider the possibility of the purchase of British mutton to place in cold storage for an emergency?
Mr. StanleyAs I have explained on previous occasions, I am unable to give any indication, in advance, of purchases of commodities under the Essential Commodities Reserves Bill. I might mention, however, that owng to the cost of storage and turnover, mutton is not entirely suitable for inclusion in the Government's scheme of food reserves.
§ Sir A. KnoxWould not the adoption of the suggestion give the Board of Trade an opportunity at long last of doing a good turn to British agriculture?
Mr. StanleyI must remember that my primary duty is to use the money entrusted to me under this Act to the best possible advantage for building up reserves of commodities in this country.
§ Mr. DaltonWill the right hon Gentleman remind the sheep producers that the Prime Minister is of opinion that more food should not be grown in this country, and then we should not have all these troubles?
Mr. StanleyI need not remind the sheep farmers of that, because it is not the opinion of the Prime Minister or of the Government.