§ 62. Sir P. Macdonaldasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the present high prices which farmers have to pay for dried-grass meal; whether he will give an indication of the food value of this meal; and what steps are being taken to encourage a greater output of it and to ensure that it will be available at a more reasonable price.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." Dried young grass contains at least as much starch equivalent as oats, is at least half as rich again in digestible protein, and is rich in carotene and essential minerals. The output of dried grass meal depends largely on the plant available and, as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained in reply to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 3rd November, it is expected that the number of grass driers in use for the 1948 season will be about 30 per cent. greater than in 1947. A full statement will be made as soon as possible on the Government's plans for encouraging grass conservation, but any proposal to control the price of dried grass meal would require very careful consideration.