§ 72. Sir Cooper Rawsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will keep in constant touch with the military and other Departments on the food situation in the districts where the position varies according to military and other plans; whether he is aware that the lifting of the ban on entrants to certain coastal resorts has increased the food shortage; and whether he can give an assurance that efforts are being made to cope with the situation, particularly as regards milk and birds?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts, I was not aware of any special shortages of food in coastal resorts, but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars, I will have inquiries made. Every effort is being made to distribute milk in accordance with the needs of consumers in each locality. The distribution of poultry is not controlled by my Department, but Maximum Price Orders have been made which permit of higher prices in certain urban areas and this should attract supplies to some of the larger coastal towns.
§ Sir C. RawsonWill my right hon. and gallant Friend allow some of his representatives to confer with me on the question of the shortage at Brighton, not only of milk, but of birds too?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo doubt my hon. Friend is aware that the shortage of milk is due to the shortage of supplies. I have pointed out in my Answer to his original Question that control of the distribution of birds is not in my Department.
§ Sir C. RawsonIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the shortage of milk may be even greater before long?