Canary Seed

HC Deb 20 March 1946 vol 420 cc1869-70

66. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the interest which thousands of people have in the breeding and exhibiting of canaries, budgerigars and other small-cage and aviary birds, he is prepared to allow facilities for the importation of a few thousand tons of canary seed at an early date.

81. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Food if he is now able to agree to the importation by way of ballast of canary seed to enable many working men to enjoy their hobby of keeping birds.

Dr. Summerskill

Food for human needs has a prior claim on all our resources available for the purchase of foodstuffs abroad. It is not possible to agree to importation of canary seed even by way of ballast.

Mr. Rankin

Is it not the case that in replying to Question 51 the hon. Lady indicated that we were taking food from the Canaries? Now, I merely suggest that we should take some food to the canaries.

Dr. Summerskill

I do not think there is any hardship involved in keeping canaries outside cages.

Mr. Lipson

Can the hon. Lady say why it is not possible to bring canary seed in by way of ballast? Is she aware that canary seed is not used for human food?

Dr. Summerskill

I did not suggest that it was, but I have said that if we have any space to spare we must bring in human food.

82. Mr. Lavers

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, prior to the war, British-bred canaries to the value of some£35,000 were exported: and, in view of this, will he consider permitting the resumption of the import of canary seed into this country and so enable British canary breeders to recapture overseas markets.

Dr. Summerskill

I am aware of the prewar value of the export of live cage birds. To commence importing canary seed to recover this small export trade would mean a greater expenditure of foreign currency than could be recovered by the sale of the birds. As I have indicated in my replies to earlier questions today by the hon. Members for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) and Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), our available resources must be utilised for human needs.