24. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the world crop 13 of rubber seeds is reliably estimated at one million tons, that these are normally destroyed or left to rot, though they are in fact, edible and have a high oil content; and what steps his Department is taking to utilise this supply of edible oils and fats.
§ Mr. StracheyI am advised that the world crop of rubber seeds is a large one, but it is not possible to make any reliable estimate of the quantity which would be collected for crushing. An attempt is to be made later this year to collect seeds on a large scale in Malaya. If this is successful it is hoped that this potential source of oil will be used commercially in the future, since it has already been shown that crushing of the seeds presents no major difficulty. Research carried out so far indicates that rubber seed oil may be more useful for technical than edible purposes.
Mr. SmithMay I take it from that answer, that the right hon. Gentleman will do everything he possibly can, as far as his Department is concerned, to conserve the current year's crop of rubber seeds?
§ Mr. W. FletcherWill the right hon. Gentleman consider doing this through some such body as the Rubber Growers' Association, which represents the industry, and which can collect and treat the seeds without creating some enormous new body to do it?
§ Mr. WarbeyWhy did they not do it before?
§ Mr. StracheyOh, yes. The Ministry of Food could not undertake the collection, but we are getting into touch with all the interested parties, of whom the Rubber Growers' Association is probably one.