§ 48. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Agriculture how many owners of domestic poultry returned application forms before the issuing of ration cards; how many birds did they own; and how much food did they purchase in October, 1940?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsA count taken on 22nd February of the numbers of ration cards issued up to that date, including late applicants and persons newly taking up domestic poultry keeping since rationing began on 1st February, indicated that the number of applicants was about 750,000. It is not in the public interest to disclose numbers of livestock. Particulars of the quantities of feeding-stuffs purchased by these domestic poultry keepers in October, 1940, are not available.
§ Sir I. AlberyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that under the Government Regulations many keepers of poultry obtained much more food than they ought to have had and others went short?
§ 49. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the interests of efficiency, he is prepared to allocate feeding-stuffs to poultry-keepers in some proportion to the quantity of eggs de livered to Government-controlled packing stations?
§ Mr. WilliamsA plan of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers has been submitted to my right hon. Friend. As at present advised, he feels that it is open to serious objections both in practice and in principle, but the matter is still under consideration.
§ Mr. HannahIs it not necessary to do something to eliminate hopelessly incompetent poultry keepers?