§ 68. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Sir John Boyd Orr, director general of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, has announced the danger of a complete breakdown in the structure of human society if far reaching action -is not immediately taken to deal with current food shortages; and what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to prevent this possibility.
§ Mr. StracheyWe are doing our utmost to ensure increased production of essential foodstuffs by such projects as our own agricultural programme announced in August, the East African groundnut scheme for providing increased quantities of fats, and by the plan which we are developing with other countries, both within and without the Commonwealth, for helping them to increase large scale food production in suitable parts of the world.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCan my right hon. Friend assure us that the Government delegates at the Food and Agricultural Organisation of U.N.O. are giving the utmost support to Sir John Boyd Orr?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. We so describe the contribution we are making, which I have just mentioned; and we shall welcome any suggestions for anything further that we can do.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingWould the right hon. Gentleman consult with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture as to increasing the number of allotments in cities like Manchester?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Hector HughesHaving regard to the enormous importance of the matter in the main Question, will my right hon. Friend consider issuing a White Paper on the subject?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir.
§ Mr. W. FletcherWill the right hon. Gentleman take urgent steps to see that the large stock of groundnuts lying at Kano, which includes last year's stock, can be brought into use more rapidly?
§ Mr. StracheyI am aware that that is a point of the very greatest importance.