22. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there are surplus supplies of fish meal at the factories; and what action he is taking.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeTwo factories producing herring meal recently reported an accumulation of stocks, but these have now been sold through the trade. If any factory is unable to sell its surplus stock, the Ministry is willing to purchase it.
Commander MaitlandWhat does my right hon. and gallant Friend propose to do after the Ministry has purchased it? Does he propose to increase the allocation of coupons, or make it possible for other people, who cannot get the coupons at the moment, to obtain it?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeFor geographical reasons these two factories—they are the ones, I believe, that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind—find it really difficult to dispose of the meal, and what we do in purchasing it is to make it available for the pool, so that any district where supplies are short can purchase it from the pool.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI could not say without notice, but I do know that when this surplus became available we did not have to take any action to get the trade to take it up. It took it up very quickly. If it does not, we are always ready to do so, and will at any time do so.