§ Major ENTWISTLEasked the Food Controller whether the quantity of wheat imported into Hull during February, 1919, was only 38,299 quarters, and thousands of tons of wheat and flour are being brought across from Liverpool and Manchester to Hull by rail to keep local mills running; whether he is aware that the pre-war requirements of wheat in the Hull area were 80,000 quarters per week and the probable present requirements are 60,000 quarters per week; and whether, in view of the unique facilities of the port of Hull for easy and quick transport of wheat by water from import steamer direct to the local mills and to mills in Lincolnshire and other places, he proposes to take immediate steps to increase the imports to Hull of wheat and other essential food stuffs?
§ Mr. McCURDYIt is the case that grain is at present being moved by rail and coasting steamer to Hull and other ports on the North-East Coast. It is hoped that it will soon be possible to secure sufficient ocean tonnage to prevent this costly form of transport. The Government is fully alive to the desirability of using existing port facilities to their full capacity.