HC Deb 29 February 1940 vol 357 cc2280-1W
Sir G. Fox

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that poultry keepers are not now able to obtain any of the usual poultry-food which they bought in the past, namely, weatings, bran, maize meal, Sussex ground oats, barley meal, etc., because supplies have all been bought up by big milling combines who are issuing a compound mash at prices which they fix themselves; that those commodities are controlled at prices from £7 10s. a ton upwards but are no longer obtainable, and that these compound mashes are being charged for at about £10 15s. a ton; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The problem of ensuring that straight foods are sold by millers in the pre-war proportions is at present under investigation, but it must not be inferred that I accept the statement in the first part of the Question. The charges that may be made in respect of the sale of feeding-stuffs mixtures are prescribed by the Feeding Stuffs (Maximum Prices) Order dated 6th January. I am advised that the charge referred to in the Question does not appear to be unreasonable for a compound poultry mash.