§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg to ask the question that stands in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether the plant with large dehydration situated on Metheringham Heath, Lines., which is understood to have been virtually unused for dehydration of fresh vegetables for the past two seasons, is now to be used for that purpose; if so, what is the acreage contracted for locally for the supply of appropriate fresh vegetables for the current season.]
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Minister of Food, who is unable to be present this afternoon owing to a long-standing engagement, I have been asked to say that the plant to which the noble Lord refers has been used during the last two years chiefly for drying home-grown grain and salvaged foodstuffs, and partly during the 1942 season for the experimental drying of vegetables for re-constitution as fresh. It has not been possible to include this plant in my noble friend's Department's vegetable-drying scheme because the large quantity of labour which would be required for the pre-processing of material and to operate the plant to capacity is not available in the district. Certain constructional work is, however, now being carried out and, subject to this being completed, it is hoped that the plant will be used shortly after the end of the present month for the drying of potatoes. As these are surplus owned by the Ministry of Food, the question of contracting does not arise.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, arising out of that answer, it is evident that the plant referred to is capable of dehydration of fresh vegetables but that no intention exists to use it for that purpose. Instead it is to be used for surplus stocks of existing potatoes. We cannot forecast what the next harvest is going to be. The noble Lord stated that it is not possible to use it because of lack of labour. Arising from that, it may not be within the Minister's knowledge that at a very short distance from that plant buildings are at the present time being erected for the housing of workers at another factory concerned with agricultural products. May I ask my noble friend if he would be good enough to pass on the suggestion to the Minister of Food that he might see his way at some early date to make a statement to this House on the whole question of dehydration of fresh vegetables, which 809 he foreshadowed was part of the Government's policy, and that he might include in it an assurance that other Departments concerned are collaborating in whatever programme he is developing?
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, I take it that the remarks of my noble friend were really intended to be a supplementary question. I beg to inform him that I shall bring them to the notice of my noble friend.