§ Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to allot extra feeding-stuffs next spring for young chickens?
Mr. HudsonConsideration is now being given to the question of readjusting poultry rations between the winter and summer periods in order to provide larger quantities during the main chick rearing season.
§ Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture for what reason, under the new rationing scheme, a supply has been made available for horses belonging to hunts, but none for ordinary riding horses; and whether he will take remedial action?
Mr. HudsonHunting on a limited scale, with the object of destroying foxes, is at present permitted, and rations are allowed for horses in hunt establishments sufficient to maintain one-tenth of pre-war numbers. No rations are provided for ordinary riding horses, in conformity with the general principles of the rationing scheme, which are that owners of horses and other livestock should themselves grow the food necessary for their maintenance.
§ Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the anomalous position caused by his recent renewal of grants for heavy-horse breeding when at the same time he has made no proper arrangements for the supply of rations to heavy-horse stock which is too young for agricultural work and which is apparently excluded from the rationing scheme; and whether he will take steps to remedy the position?
Mr. HudsonThe basic principle of the existing rationing scheme is that owners 1269W of livestock, including horses, should provide food for their stock from the produce of their farms. Working horses on farms may receive an allowance of feeding-stuffs if the farmer is unable to provide the necessary rations, but I am not prepared to include unbroken horses within the scope of this special arrangement.