§ Sir W. RUTHERFORDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Liverpool Emergency Committee is under the Home Transport Department, and whether it comes under the control of the Board of Trade; if so, whether he is aware that twelve bales of hay recently delivered to Messrs. W. Fowler and Sons, of Liverpool, by the Emergency Committee at 8 per ton is correctly described as rubbish which no horse could eat; and whether he will take steps at once to see that reasonable supplies of proper hay are sent to Liverpool so that the transport of coal may not be endangered?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Liverpool Sub-Committee formed by the Horse Transport Committee of the Board of Trade continue to assist in the local distribution of hay, but the primary responsibility is vested in an allotment committee working under the Forage Department, who have only this morning received any information regarding Messrs. Fowler's complaint. It is being immediately investigated, and in reply to the latter part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that every possible effort is being made to satisfy Liverpool requirements both as regards quantity and quality.