HC Deb 16 December 1946 vol 431 cc1598-9
79. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Food why it is the Government policy to import so much of cur meat supplies instead of a larger volume of animal feeding stuffs whereby a greater proportion of our much-needed meat could be produced at home with consequential substantial saving in foreign exchange.

Dr. Summerskill

While His Majesty's Government are anxious to produce as much meat as possible in this country, they are unable at present to take further steps in that direction as all supplies of animal feeding stuffs available to us under present I.E.F.C. procedure are being imported

Mr. Turton

Is the Minister aware that other countries are more fortunate than this country with regard to obtaining animal feeding stuffs at present, and that if this suggestion were adopted the Minister might be able to avoid future cuts in the bacon ration?

Mr. Baldwin

Is it right to say that the I.E.F.C. are responsible for this allocation in view of the recent announcement in which the Minister stated that the I.E.F.C. were responsible only for the importation of oil cake?

Dr. Summerskill

The I.E.F.C. are certainly responsible for the allocation of protein animal feeding stuffs but they have also designated coarse grains now as human food.

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