HC Deb 26 January 1948 vol 446 c661
64. Mr. Renton

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the system of basing allocation of feedingstuff rations for pigs and poultry on prewar conditions, men who served throughout the war and started farming after it, cannot obtain such rations, whereas men who started farming just before the war and joined up much later can do so; and whether he will remove anomalies of this kind by allocating such rations on a more modern basis.

Mr. T. Williams

I am aware that the system of allocating feedingstuffs rations precludes the issue of rations for pigs and poultry on holdings where pigs or poultry were not kept before the rationing scheme began. Until there is a substantial improvement in supplies of feedingstuffs, however, any extension of the basis of rationing would entail a reduction in rations for established producers, who have already suffered considerable hardship through lack of feedingstuffs.

Mr. Renton

Does the Minister remember that as long ago as last summer he undertook to find a more fair and up-to-date method of allocating available feedingstuffs? Would he say how much longer ex-Service men have to wait before having the opportunity once more of serving their country by growing food?

Mr. Williams

Until we have more feedingstuffs available to us.

Sir W. Smithers

Why does the right hon. Gentleman take the prewar production of pigs and poultry as the figure beyond which one cannot go, in allocating feedingstuffs?

Mr. Williams

Because that was the only basis on which we could calculate reasonable rations.