Mr. A. RICHARDSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the present shortage of cake for cattle feeding in this country as compared with the pre-war period; whether imports of cattle cake into this country, previously large, have been virtually cut off by the action of the Food Controller in fixing so low a maximum price to the farmer of imported cattle cake; and whether the Food Controller will in the national interests take such steps as will lead to the amelioration of the position?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is, however, incorrect to state that imports of cattle cake have been cut off by reason of the action of the Food Controller in fixing maximum prices. Owing to the present shortage of tonnage, it is vitally important that freight space should be reserved for products directly essential for human consumption. Large quantities of oil seeds, nuts, and kernels are being imported into this country, the oil from which is used in the manufacture of margarine, while the by-products are glycerine, for the manufacture of explosives, and cattle cake. It is, therefore, obviously more in the national interest to import oil seeds than to import cattle cake direct. I regret that, under existing conditions, little hope can be held out of any improvement in the position with regard to tonnage.