§ Mr. SAMUEL SAMUELasked the Food Controller if he is aware that severe losses have been inflicted on millers and dealers by his Department forcing them to buy Japanese beans so as to obtain supplies of maize, and that these beans are unsaleable; will he state for the benefit of the trade what the beans can be used for; is he aware that cattle refuse to eat them or the flour made from them; have his Department reduced the price from £35 to £20 per ton, thus inflicting further loss on millers; and, under the circumstances, will he take the beans back at invoice cost?
§ Mr. McCURDYIn view of the urgent necessity for economising supplies of maize, beans were for a time sold in conjunction with maize with the intention that the two commodities should be used in combination as a feeding meal for stock. This arrangement proved not unsatisfactory; and I am not aware of the severe losses which the hon. Member mentions. I may say that demands for beans are still being received by traders who desire to grind them in combination with maize As regards the latter part of the question, long notice was given of the reduction in1216W price to which the hon. Member refers, and it is accordingly not considered necessary to adopt his proposal.