§ 52. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture why he did not seek the advice of the poultry farmers' organisations before restricting the quantity of feeding-stuffs to be allowed to accredited poultry breeders; and if he will now consult with them to ameliorate the effects of this decision which, coupled with the closing of the accredited scheme to new entrants, is likely to prejudice the production of sound stock.
§ 58. Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent representatives of the poultry industry were consulted before the decision was reached to freeze the level of supplementary poultry rations; and whether he will reconsider the decision to the extent of freezing the level of supplementary rations at whichever is the greater of the 1948 or 1949 Autumn counts.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe basis of supplementary rations for accredited poultry breeders has been under review for some months following a recommendation from my Advisory Committee on Rationing, which includes members representing a wide field of farming interests. The precise steps to be taken were communicated to poultry farmers' organisations at a meeting of 27th May and the comments received were considered before a final decision was announced. I am advised that a sufficient quantity of sound stock for the needs of the industry can be produced on present rations, and I cannot undertake to reopen the matter now.