§ 30. Mr. Baldwinasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there are considerable quantities of barley, oats, 22 etc., in corn merchants' hands, and no coupons available to release it; and whether, in view of the prospect of a good harvest, he will now discontinue the rationing of feedingstuffs and turn the business back into the hands of corn merchants.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeStocks of feeding barley and feeding oats in the hands of approved buyers are not excessive and there is a good demand for them against ration documents. It is our declared policy to deration feedingstuffs whenever possible but a good harvest is only one factor among many which have to be considered including subsidy and scarce currency requirements for additional supplies.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the best way to ration feedingstuffs is by price? If the price rises too high, that is a better incentive to the farmers to plough up their land than having £5 per acre for doing it.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThat is why I suggest that taking the subsidy off feeding-stuffs should be the first step.