73. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Food why he has suspended the granting of export licences for pearl barley in view of the fact that this article, though in plentiful supply, still remains upon points and as a consequence its home consumption is much reduced.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe granting of export licences is a matter for my right286W hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, but in view of the scarcity of barley for all purposes I cannot at present recommend the export of processed barley except to hard currency areas.