§ Lady Tweedsmuirasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that huge quantities of oatmeal are accumulating at the mills in Aberdeenshire; what is the quantity of it; and what steps he is taking to remedy it.
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§ Mr. StracheyI am aware that stocks of oatmeal at mills in Aberdeenshire, and indeed throughout the country, are larger than they were at the same time last year when stocks were unusually low. The stock held by the Aberdeenshire mills at the beginning of January was about 900 tons, which is a very small part of the total stock held by oatmeal millers in the United Kingdom. There is no restriction on the distribution of oat products, and millers are free to regulate their production according to the current demand for their product; but I will certainly take any opportunity I can of reminding consumers that this home-produced food is now plentiful.