§ 3. Mr. Manningham-Bullerasked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the cost incurred by the Air Ministry since 1945 in connection with the rationing scheme for pigeon feedingstuffs; what tonnage of feedingstuffs has been imported since 1945 and made available to pigeon fanciers through the National Pigeon Service; and what has been the cost of that tonnage.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIn 1946 and 1947 the pigeon food rationing scheme cost my Department about £1,500 a year. I am informed that altogether in these two years 6,163 tons of feedingstuffs, costing £168,000, were imported by the Ministry of Food and sold to members of the National Pigeon Service.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why this expenditure has been incurred, as I have a letter from the Air Ministry which says that there is no intention of using pigeons in any future emergency? Can he say why we are importing feedingstuffs from abroad for pigeons? Would it not be better to import it for chickens?
§ Mr. HendersonThat question ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food. I am not aware of the existence of the letter which the hon. and learned Gentleman has mentioned, and I would like to see it.
Mr. E. P. SmithCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why we should be importing feedingstuffs for pigeons, in view of the fact that they are generally fed on maple peas, vast quantities of which are grown in this country?
§ Mr. HendersonThe provision of food for pigeons is not my responsibility; it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Food. My Department is merely responsible for administering the scheme.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman intend to continue subsidising food for carrier pigeons?
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman do what he can to encourage people to keep pigeons? They played a great part in the last war, and will probably do the same in the next.