§ Mr. MACMASTERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that early in 1915 the German Government issued orders that gardens and pleasure grounds in Germany, the property of private individuals, used for the production of flowers, shrubs, and ornamental plants, should, as far as possible, be converted into gardens for the production of potatoes, cabbages, and other vegetables for the food of the people, and that even the skins of potatoes should be saved for the food of pigs; and will he see that orders of a conservatory nature, consistent with conditions in this country, are made to increase the food supply of our people, and thus diminish the demand upon the imported supply and correspondingly reduce the market prices of the necessaries of life?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that a great effort has been made in Germany to conserve and increase the national resources as regards food supply, including measures of the general nature indicated in the question. The question how far 523W similar measures are necessary and expedient in this country will no doubt be considered by whoever exercises the powers of the Food Controller.