§ 51. Sir W. Davisonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether a short statement will be issued as soon as possible pointing out that notwithstanding the reduction in the quantity of balancer meal which will now be available for domestic poultry keepers there is no need for any wholesale reduction in existing stocks of hens the greater part of which can still be ade- 176 quately fed; and will he give particulars of suitable substitutes which can be obtained in different parts of the country?
Mr. HudsonWhere sufficient food waste is available some hens additional to the number for which rations are provided can be kept. This is made dear in the leaflet now available at local food offices throughout England and Wales, which explains the new domestic poultry scheme. The usual sources of extra food will be scraps obtained from the household and neighbours, and the waste produce of gardens and allotments.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that quite a number of poultry keepers have not used any balancer meal at all, and that if a little more mangels and potatoes are used, in addition to household scraps, only very small reductions in the number of fowls kept need be made? Is it not very much in the national interest that as many fowls as possible should be kept, notwithstanding the reduction in the ration of balancer meal?
Mr. HudsonIn rural areas where gardens are larger it is possible for persons to grow food for poultry, in addition to the crops for human consumption, and thereby keep a few extra fowls.
§ Sir J. LucasCan the Minister say how many poultry keepers there are in South Kensington?