HC Deb 10 June 1943 vol 390 cc846-7
49. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will confer with the Minister of Food for the purpose of providing an additional grain ration to the backyard poultry-keepers; and, in this connection, with a view to safeguarding existing supplies of grain, will he instruct the war agricultural county committees to utilise this autumn an increased acreage of unfilled soil which is available on the golf courses throughout the country?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

Rations for backyard poultry have recently been increased by 25 per cent., and the balancer meal provided for them includes a proportion of ground grain. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for East Leicester (Major Lyons) on 13th May.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the Minister aware that last winter many people throughout the country got no more than two to three eggs a month, in some cases only one? Does he realise that it is eggs we want? Will he look at that? That is an egg. And will he look at that? That is a golf ball. Does he realise that there is mile after mile of fairway uncultivated throughout the country? Should not every golf club be compelled to make some contribution to the national larder?

Mr. Lawson

On a point of Order. Might I ask why the hon. Gentleman has got those things he has just exhibited?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Can we have them placed in the Library?