56. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding a comprehensive scheme for the management of feeding-stuffs to secure distributive efficiency throughout every county?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)Arrangements are now being made to set up throughout the country divisional animal feeding-stuffs committees to assist the Minister to secure the equitable distribution of supplies of feeding-stuffs. 209 Each committee will have an independent chairman and will consist of the chairmen of the county feeding-stuffs committees in the area and representatives of the manufacturers of feeding-stuffs, and of the wholesale distributors serving the area, as well as a representative of agriculturists. Attached to each committee will be a whole-time executive officer with a small staff who will be responsible to the Minister and will also act as secretary of the committee. The main duty of the executive officer will be to assist each distributor to obtain his proper share of supplies and to distribute them in the manner required by the Minister.
Mr. De la BèreDoes this mean that the existing doubts, dilatations and delays will be avoided, and that we shall really get some action, swift and sure, which will deal with this matter?
§ Mr. Wilfrid RobertsHow many of these divisional committees will there be?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydOne in each of the Civil Defence divisions.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsDoes this mean increased expenses for the distributive services?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe hope to avoid that, and to get fairer distribution.
Mr. De la BèreAre we to understand that the milling combines will not be allowed to have their own way?