HC Deb 21 February 1949 vol 461 c226W
49. Colonel Ropner

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will arrange for the issue of full rations for a specified number of poultry on small grassland farms which are unable to grow cereals.

Mr. T. Williams

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement that I made about the extended rationing scheme during the Debate on 20th July last. As I then said, committees have discretion to give full rations for a specified number of poultry in exceptional cases. This is intended to help small marginal dairy farms, generally unsuitable for crop production, in areas such as the West Riding. The sifting of cases has been difficult but committees will soon be able to issue these special rations.

53. Mr. Gooch

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now increase the domestic poultry-keepers' ration by releasing some of the grain stored in abundance in buildings, or still in the stack, in many counties.

Mr. T. Williams

No. These stocks of grain will be required to meet existing scales of rations for all classes of livestock in future months.