§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether stocks of feeding-stuffs are being held up by merchants in Ireland; 2122W whether difficulties have arisen in consequence of these persons having been officially urged to purchase feeding-stuffs at prices exceeding those now permitted to be charged; and what steps are being taken in the matter
§ Mr. DUKEI understand that a question as to certain existing stocks of feeding cakes has arisen between some merchants in Ireland and the Ministry of Food, but I am not acquainted with the facts relating to the matter.
§ Major LANE-FOXasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Maximum Prices Order of 5th November, 1917, fixed the price of linseed and cotton cakes considerably below the price at which they could be imported and also considerably below the value of the stocks existing in this country; whether this was done deliberately to save tonnage; and, if not, whether it has had the effect of stopping the import of this form of cattle food from America and elsewhere, and so increasing the shortage in this country while also unduly discouraging Home production and trade?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe importation of linseed cake and cotton cake from abroad is a. question of freight space, and not of price, and cattle feeding stuffs must give place to more essential commodities. The fixing of a moderate price for these cakes does not discourage home production, as the crushing mills are controlled by the Government which supplies them with raw material.