§ Mr. Loftusasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that numbers of market gardeners normally supplying the East Coast towns cannot dispose of their products to-day; that, in consequence, there are quantities of lettuces, cabbages, and other vegetables going to waste and that troops in the neighbourhood of these market gardeners are using considerable quantities of tinned vegetables; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BoothbyI am aware that the absence of summer visitors and the evacuation of part of the resident population from the East Coast towns have reduced the normal demand for local market garden produce. According to my information, however, this loss has been made good to a considerable extent by the new demand created by the large defence forces in those districts. Instructions have been issued by the War Office directing that wherever possible fresh vegetables should be bought for Army consumption and the use of canned vegetables discouraged.