55. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there are many districts in the country where barley meal is unobtainable, or where corn merchants can only obtain 10 per cent. of their normal pre-war deliveries; whether he will give an assurance that this is not being occasioned by the utilisation of barley meal for cakes or compound mixtures; and whether, since the outbreak of the war, these cakes and cubes are to be considered as balanced rations?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is not possible, in existing circumstances, to ensure that supplies of maize and barley will be available in their pre-war proportions at all times and in all parts of the country. Where supplies of barley have been ex-ecptionally short, the deficiency has been made up by supplies of maize. The shortage of barley meal is not due to its use in compounds; maize rather than barley has been allocated for that purpose. With regard to the last part of the Question, all the provisions of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act are still in force.
Mr. De la BèreCan my hon. Friend give some assurance that a complete overhaul of the present system of distribution is taking place and that he will be able to give us some statement about a final decision in these matters, because the present position is not satisfactory?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe position is constantly being improved.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydBrewers are not producing more; the amount is the same as last year.
§ Mr. ThorneOn a point of Order. Is it right for a Member to impute motives?
§ Mr. SpeakerUnfortunately I did not catch the remark.
§ Mr. George GriffithsHas not the Minister more knowledge of margarine than of beer?