§ 16. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Food what quantity of imported barley has been in store since 1st May, 1948; and how much of this is now infested with weevil.
§ Mr. StracheyAbout 72,000 tons of imported barley have been in store since 1st May, 1948. We have had trouble with weevil in about 35,000 tons of it.
§ Mr. TurtonWill the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter to see that this barley is not put in sacks that are placed one on top of another, as that helps the weevil to germinate? Moreover, will he put this barley into circulation?
§ Mr. StracheyWe realise that there are problems of storage of coarse grains, and that is precisely one of the reasons why we made the loan of maize to Eire.
§ Mr. BaldwinDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider it necessary to store this barley for something like nine months when the country is clamouring for barley? Is he aware that very heavy costs of storage are incurred, and that the barley deteriorates?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is very tempting to increase the feedingstuffs ration further, but the question is whether the ration could be kept up at the higher level.