asked the Prime Minister what was the Food Controller's recommendation to the War Cabinet with regard to corn rations to racehorses; and what decision has been come to?

I have been asked to reply. The Food Controller informed the War Cabinet of the cereal situation before the decision to allow a limited amount of winter racing was reached.

Has it been decided to stop horse-racing altogether?

No; the decision of the War Cabinet, after receiving the information referred to in my reply, was not to that effect.

Is it likely to help on the economy campaign to continue horseracing?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the disastrous effect upon our credit in Canada and the United States, from whom we are borrowing money to live, to continue horse-racing in this country?

As my reply indicates, the Food Controller placed before the Cabinet the cereal situation before the Cabinet made its decision.

Does that mean that the suggestion of the Minister of Food on this question has been turned down by the War Cabinet?

It does not mean that the Minister of Food made any suggestion. He placed the facts of the situation before the War Cabinet.

May I ask the representative of the Prime Minister is there any reason why horse-racing is not stopped, considering the very serious shortage of cereals in this country?

I think the right hon. Gentleman had better give me notice of that question.

I beg pardon!

Well, I handed it over to the Food Controller. The only answer I can give now is that the other facts and considerations which should be taken into account were considered by us, one of which was that the amount of food involved was absolutely trifling, and that the effect on the habits of the people was out of proportion to the saving of food.

Is it not the opinion of the Cabinet that it will be impossible to keep up the breeding of horses if horseracing is stopped?

Of course, that consideration was put before us, but, judging by myself, the main consideration in making the decision was the interference with the habits of the people.

Are we to take it the Food Controller does not make recommendations to the War Cabinet, but simply places facts before them?

He does both, like every other Minister.

But in this particular case did he make any recommendation at all to the War Cabinet?

How does the right lion. Gentleman expect me to remember every recommendation made months ago?

Did the War Cabinet—

Will the hon. Member give notice?