§ Sir HERBERT NIELDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that, since the making of the Oil Control Order on or about the 9th January last, all supplies of linseed oil for veterinary purposes have been held up; whether he is aware that makers of veterinary medicines and veterinary surgeons have, after an interval of four weeks, been referred to the United Kingdom Oil Consumers' Association, to whom applications are to be made; whether he is aware that after a further lapse of three weeks no permit has been able to be obtained except upon priority certificates, and that owing to the congestion of the work of the Priority Department of the Ministry of Munitions applications are unable to be dealt with except after prolonged delay; and if he will state whether steps can be taken to place the issue of the certificates for linseed oil in the hands of some less-congested Department and where more regard is paid to the urgent needs of the community, and so 1566W prevent the loss of the sick animals urgently requiring this commodity as medicine?
§ Mr. CLYNESBy the Oils and Fats (Requisition) Order dated the 21st December, 1917, the Food Controller took possession of all the oils and fats scheduled there under which were in the United Kingdom on the 1st January, 1918, except lots of one variety weighing 5 tons or under. The most careful rationing of linseed oil has been found necessary in order to satisfy the needs of margarine manufacturers, soap-making, paint and varnish, and linoleum. At the same time the necessity for granting supplies of linseed oil for veterinary purposes has not been overlooked. Arrangements have now been completed by which a person requiring linseed oil for veterinary purposes shall apply to the Linseed Oil Consumers' Association, which, on receipt of a form duly filled in by the applicant, will immediately grant him a priority certificate. Priority certificates from the Ministry of Munitions are not required except in the case of lots over 2 tons in weight, which are, as a rule, not involved in this sort of allocation.