§ 61 and 62. Mr. Snaddenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he is aware that Direction C18/DI, prohibiting merchants from selling oats to persons other than oatmeal millers except where such oats are refused by them, was issued only to a certain number of authorised merchants leaving others a free hand; that this has caused much resentment; and will he take steps to remove this injustice;
(2) whether he is aware that his Department have issued a Direction C18/DI, dated 18th February, 1941, to certain authorised merchants, prohibiting the sale by them to persons other than oatmeal millers of all oats purchased after 18th February, 1941, except, where such oats have been refused by oatmeal millers; that all oats includes seed oats; and that this Order will have the effect of preventing farmers from securing vital supplies of seed for the greatly-increased acreage now 1289 about to be sown; and whether he will take steps to have seed oats excluded from this Direction?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNew Directions, dated 6th March, were issued to all approved buyers of oats in Scotland, the object of which is to secure an increase in the quantity of oats offered to oatmeal millers. The sale of oats for distribution or use as seed in Scotland is specifically permitted under these new Directions.