HC Deb 13 March 1946 vol 420 c1102
65. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Food why he refused to allow the Northern Agricultural and Lime Company, "Limited, Aberdeen, to extend their manufacture of oat flakes, at present amounting weekly to 60 tons of human food, 30 tons of animal food and by- products, whereby the food supply of the country would be increased and additional employment would be given to from 15 to 20 people; and if he will re consider this matter and see that this project is encouraged.

Dr. Summerskill

The existing productive capacity is more than sufficient to meet the demand for oat flakes, and there is accordingly no occasion to increase manufacturing capacity at the expense of labour and building material required for more urgent purposes. Such additional employment as might be created, if permission were granted to this undertaking to extend its plant, would be counterbalanced by reduced employment elsewhere in the industry.