105. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Food the tonnage, as at 30th November, 1946, of stocks of English barley of malting quality which was then available over and above the amount allowed for consumption by the maltsters and distillers; whether he is aware that there is difficulty in disposing of this surplus; and how he proposes to utilize these large quantities of grain.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that no information is available as to the quantity of threshed barley that may be held by farmers or merchants, but I do not accept the suggestion that there is difficulty in disposing of barley not taken up by maltsters and distillers. My Department is prepared to buy all the millable or potentially millable barley that is surplus to the requirements of other users.