HC Deb 06 August 1942 vol 382 cc1190-1
57. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, having regard to harvest prospects, he will consider the possibility of more favourable treatment of poultry keepers?

Mr. Hudson

I can hold out no hope that supplies of feeding-stuffs available for distribution under the rationing scheme will be sufficient to warrant an increase in supplies for poultry keepers.

Sir J. Mellor

Are we to assume that Whatever the harvest there can be no upward change in the one bird per person policy so far as it concerns domestic poultry keepers?

Mr. Hudson

That is, roughly speaking, the gist of my answer.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Will the Minister not consider the slaughter of hens on a more graduated scale?

Mr. Hudson

I have repeatedly explained that I have issued no orders for the slaughter of hens.

Mr. Sloan

Will the Minister not consider taking that one ration per hen away from the racehorses and giving it to poultry keepers?