asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether he is aware that potatoes, milk, and all foods containing fat are abnormally scarce in Loughrea; is he aware that 100 persons in the town requested the Congested Districts Board to grant them facilities over land in their possession to raise food this year; is he aware that the Board refused the facilities on the ground that it was possible the land might be divided during the year; what action will be taken to comply with the advice of the Government to cultivate more land and raise more food this year; (2) whether he is aware that the small traders, mechanics, and labourers of the town of Loughrea have more than once petitioned the Congested Districts Board for a share of the untenanted land in their hands and running into the township on the eastern side of the town; is he aware that the people generally are most anxious to assist the Government in raising crops, and, in their desire to assist the Government, applied for facilities to cultivate a share of the land to the east of the town; and, before the Congested Districts Board appropriate these lands for other purposes, seeing that the need and urgency of raising more food in the present year is so manifest, will he represent to the Congested Districts Board the wisdom of providing accommodation for the townspeople out of these lands before they are otherwise disposed of?

The Food Control Committee for Ireland are not aware that there is any shortage of potatoes in the Loughrea district. They have, on the contrary, good reason to believe that there is an ample supply of potatoes in that district. No representations as to the shortage of milk and other foodstuffs containing fat have been received by the Committee which has no reason to suppose that the scarcity of these foodstuffs is any greater in Loughrea than elsewhere. The Congested Districts Board are dealing with the lands in question forthwith by permanent allotment of them in relief of agricultural congestion in accordance with their statutory powers. A large extent of untilled land near Loughrea is held by townspeople of Loughrea.

asked what agreement has been reached as regards the type of packing-case to be used for the egg export trade and the incidence of risk as between owners and carriers?

The railway authorities have postponed until July next the operation of the notice they have issued specifying certain new regulations as to the transit of eggs. In the meantime steps will be taken in consultation with the trade and the carrying companies, to arrive, if possible, at a satisfactory arrangement in respect of the type of packing-cases to be used. The hon. Member may rest assured that the importance of the matter is fully recognised by the Department of Agriculture.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he s aware that John Foley, tenant of a labourer's cottage at Coolacullig, Coachford. county Cork, applied for an additional half-acre to the Macroom Rural District". Council about nine years ago; if he can state whether this representation was included in the improvement scheme at the time, and, if so, what action was taken upon it; is he aware that Foley has a young and helpless family of five children, and that to provide for their necessities he had last year to get potato ground three miles away, although he sought to nave the additional half-acre for which he had applied let to him; whether the rural councils have not sufficient powers under recent Regulations to acquire tillage allotments for persons circumstanced as John Foley is; whether the tenant of the land in this case, Mr. John Dwyer, will be approached to see if he is willing to give this half-acre to Foley on being properly compensated; find, as the matter is one of urgency, will immediate steps be taken to provide Foley with the additional half-acre, which he is willing and able to till, and which he wants to supply his young family with food?.

The application for an additional allotment in this case was, like a number of others, disallowed at the local inquiry into the scheme in 1908. It was considered that provision for better house accommodation for the labourers in the district should take precedence of any suggested enlargement of the garden allotments attached to labourers' cottages previously provided.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the greater part of my question.

I cannot add anything to the answer that I have given. The matter was fully considered in 1908.

I have asked whether the tenant of this land will be approached to see if he is willing to give this half-acre to Foley? That portion of the question was not answered.

I cannot give the hon. Member any further information.

:I will put down a question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a number of small shopkeepers have been brought to the verge of ruin by the restriction of sugar supplies to the manufacturers of sweets; and whether the Ministry will release a larger amount of sugar to such manufacturers in the interests alike of the consumer and of the small distributors?

I am aware that in this trade, as in many others, the restrictions upon the use of raw material, which have been rendered necessary by the circumstances of the time, have Seriously affected those concerned. It is not, however, possible to release more sugar than at present for the manufacture of sweets. As I stated last Monday, consideration is being given to the possibility of affording some relief to shopkeepers who are solely dependent for their living on the sale of confectionery.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say when it is expacted that relief will be given?

The matter is under consideration, and we are hopeful that an announcement can be made at an early date.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he told me a fortnight ago that the matter was under consideration?

No, I am not aware of that. I was not here.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his reply means that the Ministry contemplate and intend at an early date to limit the sale of sweets to those people to whom such sale is their whole livelihood?

What is intended is to try and arrange a distribution whereby people whose business is solely that of retailing sweets and confectionery will have some opportunity of continuing their business, and will not be completely pushed out.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that was his answer a month ago?

I will look up the date.

Will the hon. Gentleman prohibit the sale of sweets in the cinema theatres, and confine the sale to small shopkeepers?

That suggestion will be considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether any Regulation other than 2F of the Defence of the Realm Act empowers him to purchase or commandeer tea; whether he has taken action under that Regulation; and, if so, whether such action has retrospective effect?

Regulaton2B, in addition to Regulation 2F, empowers the Food Controller to commandeer tea. Action has in some cases been taken under that Regulation, but not with the intention of causing any retrospective effect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether West African and West Indian cocoa contains about 50 percent. of cocoa-butter, which is a most valuable fat for culinary purposes; if so. why is the import of this cocoa restricted whilst the importation of other tropical products with a slightly lower percentage of oil is given every encouragement; (2) whether a duty of 4½d. per lb. is imposed on cocoa-butter sold retail in this country whilst on the same article of food, if exported, the duty is rebated; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability, in view of the fact that cocoa-butter can be made a valuable butter substitute, of encouraging at the present time the import of both West African cocoa and West Indian cocoa into this country and prohibiting the exportation of cocoa-butter?

It is a fact that West African and West Indian cocoa contains about 50 per cent. of cocoa-butter, on which, sold by retail in the United Kingdom, a duty of 4½d. per lb. is imposed. Since, however, there are already comparatively large stocks of cocoa beans in the United Kingdom, and since the output of cocoa powder and cocoa-butter is limited by the capacity of the manufacturing plant in this country, it has been thought advisable to restrict to a certain extent the importation of West African and West Indian cocoa. The importation of the other oil seeds alluded to by the hon. Member is essential for the margarine industry for which purpose cocoa-butter is not so suitable. The export of cocoa-butter from the United Kingdom is already prohibited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the recent operations of the United Dairies Combine, whereby a virtual control of the supply and distribution of whole and condensed milk to many parts of London and elsewhere has been established; whether these operations have been carried through with his encouragement and approval; whether they are of so great benefit to the consumer and producer as to outweigh the obvious disadvantages of such a monopoly in the hands of a combine trading for profit during the War and subsequently; and if he will either take over the business of the above combine in its entirety or so limit the difference between producers' and consumers' prices as to reduce the possibility of profits to a reasonable rate?

The Food Controller is aware that the United Dairies Combine has under its control the greater part of the supply of liquid milk distributed in London, though it controls only a very small proportion of the condensed milk supply. Its operations have neither been approved nor disapproved by the Food Controller. There are certain advantages in an organised system of distribution, provided that any monopoly obtained is not used to the detriment of the community in general. The Food Controller is considering what steps are proper to be taken in order to protect the interests of the consumer.

Is there any intention on the part of the Ministry of Food of using this combine as the organised means of distribution of the milk supply?

That would depend upon circumstances. We have to use, or not to use, existing organisations according to present requirments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether a person who lives in a town and occupies a farm in the country, which he farms himself, can bring from his farm to his house in the town for his own household's consumption a home-killed fowl, a home-cured piece of bacon, home-made jam, and home-churned butter, or any and which of them, without fear of prosecution?

Yes, Sir.

Does the same apply to mutton from the country?

That will depend upon the mutton.

Does it apply to a syndicated farm? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it would be quite a simple thing for farmers to let out £l shares to everybody on their farms, and thus keep everyone supplied?

There is no reference to syndicated farms in this question.

It refers to a farm owner. Must he be the sole owner or does it refer to any shareholder?

That does not arise out of the question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say—it is a matter of some importance— whether, if a man buys a live pig and fattens it, he is allowed to eat the whole pig himself? Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will make it quite clear.

In spite of the many lessons which hon. Members have afforded me, my education on the pig problem is still incomplete, and I desire notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, following on the seizure and slaughter by their direction of a number of pigs awaiting shipment in Dublin to this country, the Irish Republic Food Committee have stated their intention of preventing the further shipment of oats to Great Britain; and what action the Food Controller intends to take to vindicate his position and prevent the transference of his authority to the food committee named?

I have been asked to reply to this question, and am informed that what is called by the hon. and gallant Member a "seizure and slaughter of pigs" in Dublin appears to have been a prearranged scheme for advertising the existence of the people who are referred to in the question of the hon. and gallant Member as the Irish Republic Food Committee. The Dublin Metropolitan Police are well able to prevent the interference of lawbreakers with legitimate movements of produce, and will have all necessary support in the performance of that duty.

Has the Food Controller of this country got any control at all over the export of food from Ireland or must he act through the Chief Secretary or the Irish Government?

I require notice of that question.

I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will advise an arrangement by which the ration tickets may hold good for two weeks so that small families may be enabled to get an occasional joint?

I am already considering this suggestion; but I propose to wait for a rather longer experience of the scheme before arriving at a decision upon it. I may take this opportunity of stating that, as a temporary measure to provide for any unexpected failure to secure complete distribution in the first week of the London and Home Counties Rationing scheme, Food Control Committees have been authorised, when they think fit, to allow cards or coupons not used in the first week to be used in the second.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether preserving eggs in any quantity in water-glass, or other methods, constitutes food hoarding?

If the eggs were produced by hens kept by the preserver the answer is in the negative. If the eggs were acquired, the quantity preserved must be limited to the ordinary and proper requirements of the preserver's household, having regard to all the circumstances of the case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken by his Department to avert a famine in eggs, which is likely to occur if the present policy of making it impossible for poultry farmers to keep and maintain their stocks is continued?

In view of the actual and prospective cereal supplies, it is essential to reserve for human consumption all wheat and barley fitted for that purpose. It is, however, hoped to enable hen birds hatched since 1st January, 1916, to receive a ration of dry food not exceeding 1 oz. a day.

May I ask whether some Orders will be issued which will make it clear to the poultry-keepers that they are allowed to purchase quantities of damaged grain?

That, no doubt, will be covered by the announcement that I have indicated in the last part of my answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps, if any, it is proposed to take in order to prevent the disappearance of the pig as an article of food?

The shortage of concentrated feeding-stuffs rules the situation. But the Board, in consultation with the pig-breeding associations of the country, have framed a scheme for the preservation of all sows suitable for breeding, the increase of the pig population, the allocation to sows and pigs of a proportion of the available meal and cake, the utilisation of food not available for human consumption, and the multiplication of the number of pigs kept by allotment holders and cottagers. Certain questions relating to the prices of pig-meat and of store pigs are still unsettled and prevent me from giving a move detailed answer. I hope to be in a position to reply more fully in the course of the next week.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman, in the excellent speech he made recently, advise people to keep pigs?

Most certainly I did, and I do now. It depends upon the mode in which they are fed.

How can they do it without food?

That is not quite the question, which is whether we can do it with a particular class of food.

Will the right hon. Gentleman provide that particular class of food?

That is beyond my control, and beyond the control of any Department in this country.

Then there will be no pigs!

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is intended to reduce the controlled maximum price offish during the summer months?

This is under consideration, and I may point out that Clause of the Fish (Prices) Order provides for the fixing of different prices for fish from time to time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the difficulties retail sellers of fried fish in London have in obtaining either fat or oils in order to carry on their trade; and whether, in view of the importance of this trade in supplying cheap food to many districts of London, he will cause special arrangements to be made by which sufficient fat and oils are supplied to boná fide members of this trade in order to enable them to continue to supply the public with necessary food?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Special arrangements have already been made, and will soon be in operation for the supplying of the necessary fats and oils to retail sellers of fried fish.

asked the Parliatary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has any official information showing that, in order to promote the efficient conduct of the War, the people of the Commonwealth of Canada have prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquor; and whether it is proposed that a similar course should be taken to safeguard our supplies of food in this country?

I have no official information to the effect indicated in the first part of the question. Various Canadian provinces are, and have been for some time, prohibition provinces, and the Governor-General in Council, on 2nd November, 1917, prohibited the use in the Dominion of grain or food substances for the distillation of potable liquors, and on 27thNovember, 1917, restricted malting, and the use of malt, to an amount not exceeding the total of the year ending 31st March, 1916. The second part of the question hardly appears to arise. I may, however, point out that there has in this country been no distilling for potable spirits for a considerable period, and that malting has now been prohibited until further order. This will not interfere with the present restricted output of beer, but any surplus stocks of barley not required for the purposes of brewing will thus become available for purposes of direct human consumption.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of communicating with the Propaganda Department in order to make known what has been done in Canada, so as to influence public opinion in this country to economise in the destruction of food materials for alcohol?

I will report that in the; proper quarters.

In speaking of "this country" in regard to the prohibition of malting, does the hon. Gentleman include Scotland?

Certainly.

I have been asked :to postpone this question, but, in view of the urgent importance of home production, can my right hon. Friend say when I may put it down again?

I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will put it down, say, on Tuesday next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since the use of saccharine, saxine, and the like preparations has now increased to a hitherto unprecedented degree, and is likely further to increase, the Government will obtain and make public the considered opinion of its advisers in the Department of Public Health as to their harmless or harmful character?

I have been asked to reply. I am advised that there is no foundation for the suggestion that the use of saccharine as a sweetening substance is likely to prove injurious to health. The investigations made in 1911 for the United States Department of Agriculture have established the harmlesness of saccharine when taken in ordinary quantities. Doses up to 5 grains daily, i.e., fifteen times the strength of the usual tabloid, were found during long periods to cause no disturbance whatever of digestion or detriment to health in normal adults. A recent report of the Royal Society stated, however, that evidence is lacking as to whether saccharine is equally harmless to children, also that it is in no sense a food, but merely a flavouring agent. The conclusion would seem to be that sugar should be given to children, while saccharine, may be quite safely taken in moderate quantities by healthy adults in tea, coffee; and mineral waters.

Does that apply also to saxine?

I understand so.

When will the increased supply of saccharine be forthcoming?

I understand it is largely dependent upon machinery and transit.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has had representations made to him by the Executive Council of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association drawing attention to the necessity of Scotland having 20 tons of sugar for syrup for bee feeding; if so, whether he has represented this case to the Food Controller and with what result; is he aware that the feeding-stuff arranged to be made by Pascall, Limited, at the suggestion of the Food Controller, is expensive and unremunerative; and will he take further steps to secure the sugar in view of the fact that it will return as honey fourteen to sixteen times its weight?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Roxburghshire on 21st February.

Have Scottish bees abandoned the practice of gathering honey all the day from every opening flower, which was attributed to them by a famous namesake of the hon. Member?

I think the answer had better be given by my hon. Friend who put the question.

Since the hon. Gentleman answered me have measures been taken to secure this sugar?

I shall require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Board of Agriculture on several occasions refused its consent to the ploughing up for potatoes and other crops of Cockenzie and Port Seton Golf Course, although this course has been practically unused for the last two years; whether he is aware that the district food committee repeatedly advised the Department to consent to its cultivation ; and whether he will say what were the reasons influencing his Department to prevent this scheme of food production, in view of the present, war situation?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts of the case. The Food Committee took a different view at different times on the subject, and the Board were of opinion that under all the circumstances the course ultimately suggested would involve a certain amount of hardship. My right hon. Friend has instructed that the case should receive further consideration, and he is also considering a general investigation in regard to the possibilities of further action in regard to golf courses.