§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there has been delay in supplying farmers with certificates to obtain supplies of cement 1726W for necessary farm purposes; and whether he will arrange with the Cement Controller for a simplified and more expeditious procedure?
Mr. HudsonI am aware that in the early stages of the cement control scheme there was some delay in the issue of certificates to farmers, and I regret that the Ministry's allocation was sufficient to meet only a proportion of the applications received. As from 7th October, however, responsibility for the release of cement and other controlled materials for all private enterprise building work was assumed by the Ministry of Works and Buildings. Applications for supplies are now made to the Regional Licensing Officers of that Department who consult the appropriate County War Agricultural Executive Committees as necessary. I have every reason to hope that this new arrangement will work satisfactorily.