HC Deb 04 May 1938 vol 335 cc868-9
46. Mr. De la Bére

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now find time to consider the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to the home production of feeding stuffs?

[That, in view of the vulnerable position occupied during war by agriculture in respect of the importation of feeding stuffs, this House urges on the Government the need for developing at home supplies of suitable commodities by permitting the cultivation of additional acreage of potatoes which are not suitable for human consumption but which can be fed to pigs, by using surplus fish for the production of fish-meal for poultry feeding, and by establishing national factories for the supply of these two feeding stuffs to the rearers of pigs and poultry.]

The Prime Minister

I regret that I can hold out no hope of time being found for the discussion of this Motion.

Mr. De la Bére

May I ask my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister whether he is aware that it is not only a lack of time, but that there is in some quarters a lack of courage and imagination? Is he not further aware that half measures are insufficient?

The Prime Minister

I do not think it is true to say that there is a lack of appreciation of the importance of the matter.