48. Mr. De la Beréasked the Minister of Food whether he will consider purchasing the surplus potatoes before they deteriorate and converting them into potato meal suitable for pig feeding.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summer-skill)Surplus potatoes are already being bought by my Department for processing into stock feed as well as for human consumption, and priority is being given to stocks which are liable to deteriorate.
Mr. De la BéreDoes the Minister fully appreciate the urgent need to increase the pig population and to provide more bacon? Why did not the Government take steps earlier to make the processing machinery available so that more supplies would now have been available? Is he aware that there is now one miserable ounce of bacon a week? Why do we not increase our own bacon supplies?
§ Dr. SummerskillThat is what we are doing.
§ Major Legge-BourkeCan the hon. Lady give any indication of the extra cost to the Exchequer arising from the decision which she mentioned in her answer?
§ Dr. SummerskillThat is another question.