§ 60. Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large quantities of oats in the North of Scotland are unsold; and what steps are being taken to alleviate this position.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Kinross and West Perth (Mr. Snadden) on 14th February, we are prepared to buy, at the guaranteed price, all the sound oats offered to my Department.
§ Mr. BoothbyArising out of that answer, and in view of the glut of oats which undoubtedly exists at the moment, will the right hon. Lady give serious consideration to the possibility of taking oats off coupons in the near future?
§ Dr. SummerskillI would not say there was a glut of oats. There can never be a glut of oats when feedingstuffs of any kind are in short supply. We are prepared to buy any oats that the farmers offer us.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWould the right hon. Lady bear in mind that there is a glut in so far as they cannot get rid of the oats? It is possible that at the other end there may be an opening, but the millers are stocked up, and therefore the producers of oats cannot get rid of their stocks.
§ Dr. SummerskillThere is only a glut in so far as they want the maximum price.