HC Deb 11 March 1940 vol 358 cc827-9
46. Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken in the case of Lincoln Corporation, which are not making use of waste products suitable for feeding-stuffs; has their attention been called to the fact that livestock in the surrounding districts is short of feeding-stuffs; and has the example of some London boroughs been pointed out to them?

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Burgin)

I have no information that a shortage of waste products suitable for feeding-stuffs exists in the environs of Lincoln, which could be made up by the collection of waste products within the city, and accordingly I have not considered it necessary to draw the attention of the corporation to what is being done in other districts where a shortage has been reported. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is sending a circular letter to the County War Agricultural Executive Committees asking them to inform local authorities where a demand for kitchen waste exists, and I am dispatching a memorandum to all local authorities asking them, on request by the County War Agricultural Executive Committees, to give this matter special consideration.

Mr. Liddall

Is the Minister aware that once upon a time Lincoln was of far more importance than London, and is in these days in 99 cases out of 100 an example to London?

Mr. T. Williams

Is not the Minister aware that Lincoln is renowned for its fat pigs?

Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

Is the Minister aware that he has said in this House that Louth has made arrangements for the collection of waste products suitable for livestock and that Lincoln has not?

47. Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

asked the Minister of Supply what steps Sheffield County Borough is taking to produce live stock feeding-stuffs or swill from waste products?

Mr. Burgin

According to the information in my Department, the Sheffield City Council are not taking steps to introduce a special collection of swill. They have a modern utilisation plant at their public abattoir for producing livestock feeding-stuffs from abattoir wastes, and about two tons of meat meal and one ton of blood meal are prepared weekly.

Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

Is it not a fact that there is a good deal of household waste suitable for livestock which is bound to be found in a big town like Sheffield?

Mr. Burgin

I think that is probably right.

Miss Rathbone

Is it not about time that the Minister applied compulsion in this matter, instead of waiting for voluntary action on the part of local authorities, which are not all of equal activity?

Mr. Burgin

That is a very big question, and is, of course, a matter for the Minister of Health.

48. Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

asked the Minister of Supply the number of county boroughs outside London which have made arrangements to save swill or waste suitable for feeding livestock; and the names of those which have not?

Mr. Burgin

According to the records of my Department, the following 14 county borough authorities (out of a total of 83) outside the London area are at present collecting waste products suitable for stock feeding:—

Burton-on-Trent, Croydon, Halifax, Hastings, Hull, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Oldham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rotherham, St. Helens, and Worcester.

I hope that the above number will increase month by month.

Mr. Thorne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as meat rationing comes into operation to-day, there will not be much waste?

Mr. R. C. Morrison

In conjunction with other Ministers, will the Minister of Supply consider taking early steps to see that, in view of the rapid increase of the collection of this stuff, some guidance and assistance are given to local authorities in the disposal of it; otherwise, if they merely concentrate their efforts on collection, they will find, as was the case with one local authority, that many tons will have to be burnt?

Mr. Burgin

I have that consideration in mind. The publicity which has been given to this matter is in some districts producing great difficulties as to disposal. It is a matter of organisation, and the position is increasingly improving week by week.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Could Members of Parliament be given a pamphlet to explain the subject?