§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he will say who is responsible for the supervision of the officials charged with the duty of grading hay and what care is taken to ensure that such duties are properly performed; whether he is aware that a great quantity of hay has been passed and graded which is in fact so inferior as to be worthless for the sustenance of horse and cattle although marketed at the current high prices; and if he will make inquiry and take steps to remedy this state of things in the event of his being satisfied that they exist?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have been asked to answer this question. The grading of hay by the Government ceased with the purchase of the 1918 crop. The grading was carried out by officers of the Forage Department and by duly appointed buyers from the hay trade whose names were recommended by the Civil Supplies Central Council. I am informed that, as far as is known, there have been no complaints as to the grading.