§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what warning he has issued to the National Farmers' Union on the subject of flower transport in the coming winter to avoid confusion on the subject?
1175W
§ Mr. Noel-BakerOn 11th May I warned the National Farmers' Union and other bodies interested in the growing and marketing of flowers that it might be necessary next winter to re-impose the prohibition on the transport of flowers by rail. I told them that whether this will, in fact, be necessary, will depend on two things; first, the general transport position which we could not now foresee; and second, the efficacy of the arrangements made to ensure that flowers shall not impede the movement of foodstuffs or other essential goods. I told them that in any case, only a small quantity of flowers could be carried; and I suggested that growers in each area should devise a quota system, and that this quota system should be flexible enough to allow the tonnage of flowers tendered to be adjusted at short notice to the transport space available. I understand that growers in the principal areas are taking action to this end.