§ 6. Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the hon. and gallant Member for Totnes recently asked permission from his local food authority to kill a small sheep for consumption by 19 farm workers at their annual harvest home supper and that the request was refused; and on what grounds was this refusal made.
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. A licence to slaughter a sheep is issued only if the meat is to be eaten by the owner's normal household or by his own farm workers during busy seasons of the year.
§ Brigadier RaynerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this was an occasion when agricultural workers gathered together to celebrate the completion of the increased harvest—increased as a result of a year's unrelenting work—and that they were not allowed to eat even an infinitesimal amount of what they themselves had produced?
§ Mr. StracheyAs I understand it, this was not on an individual farm. It is a very considerable extension if permission is given to farms in general.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesDoes not a brigadier automatically qualify as a licensed slaughterer?
§ Brigadier RaynerIn view of the very unsatisfactory answer, may I ask the Minister whether he realises that there are two commodities in this country in short supply—coal and food? The coal miner—
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is a long way from this Question. It is an argument.