§ 73. Mr. G. Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will reconsider the amount of the feedingstuff ration allowed to disabled persons and others who have commenced specialist pig and poultry farming under the Resettlement Scheme of his Department and the Ministry of Labour; and whether he will increase the allowance to enable these people to develop their enterprises.
§ Sir T. DugdaleWhile I am glad to continue the special scheme of rations for disabled persons, I should not feel justified in giving preferential treatment to the others who have entered the pig and poultry industries under this Scheme.
§ 74. Mr. G. Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture the total cost in feedingstuffs of his recent temporary increase in the monthly ration for domestic poultry; how much it would cost per annum to make the increase permanent; and whether he has now reconsidered the question of making a special additional ration for poultry kept by members of domestic poultry-keepers clubs.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe recent seasonal increase in the domestic poultry ration will require about 5,000 tons of feeding-stuffs this year. It would cost about the same amount to repeat the increase next year, and about 20,000 tons a year to make it continuous for a full year; but I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that the increase was designed to help householders to feed replacement pullets during the summer months. I regret I am unable to make any further special addition to the ration for members of domestic poultry keepers clubs.