asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present policy of the Board of Agriculture towards poultry keeping in Great Britain is detrimental not only to the industry as a whole but to egg pro- duction, which is essential for the feeding both of invalids and children; whether, under these circumstances, he is prepared to reconsider the Department's attitude; and, if so, whether he is prepared to receive a deputation of poultry-keepers?

I think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the present policy of the Board in this matter, and for a statement of what has been and is being done, I would refer him to the reply given on the 18th of last month to a question by the hon. Member for the Montrose Burghs. In addition to a small allowance of food for the rearers of chickens of utility strains, the Ministry of Food are now, I understand, prepared to allow to poultry a share of the limited amount of concentrated feeding stuffs available. The President will be happy to consider any representations, whether through a deputation or otherwise, which poultry-keepers may wish to make to him on the subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman arrange for the issue of a very clear statement to the Press, or generally, showing the keeper of fowls exactly how he stands in regard to poultry keeping?

Instead of issuing a general warning will the hon. Gentleman state definitely what can be recognised as rations?

I think it would be wise to issue such a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has given consideration to the desirability of using the powers under the Defence of the Realm Act to take possession of inland waters and rivers and so make the fish therein available for food?

The Board have very carefully considered, with the assistance of the Freshwater Fish Committee, what are the available resources of fish in inland waters, and to what extent these resources can be used to relieve the present shortage of food supplies. I shall have pleasure in sending the hon. Member copies of the two Reports hitherto issued by the Committee. I do not think that the occasion has arisen for the Board to take over the inland waters of England and Wales, though they will consider sympathetically any schemes for their exploitation on rational lines, with due regard to the maintenance of the stock of fish, and especially of the stock of salmon.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in the event of it becoming necessary to ask for an increased area of arable cultivation for the 1919 crop, he will formulate his proposals and place them before the Federation of County War Agricultural Committees for their opinion as soon as possible so that he may be in a position to announce them to the farmers before July, 1918?

The President will gladly bear in mind the hon. Member's suggestion for an early announcement of the Government's plans for the 1919 harvest, though he cannot undertake to submit them first for the approval of the Federation of County War Agricultural Committees.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is a distinction between approval and opinion, and that the suggestion in the question is that the proposals should be put before the county war agricultural committees who have to carry them out locally an opportunity of talking over the matter Will such an opportunity be afforded?

I will draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to the distinction.

had the following question on the Order Paper:

79. To ask the Secretary for Scot land whether he has received proposals from a group of angling associations in the South of Scotland aimed at an increase in the supply of fish; whether he has also considered proposals for more extensive netting, under public or official control, having the same object in view; and what action he has taken and is taking in both these matters?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask if he will include in his reply any statement as to the very widely signed petition from Forfarshire?

I think my answer will cover that as well as the question on the Paper. I am in consultation with the Fishery Board for Scotland and the Scottish Freshwater Fisheries Committee on the subject of the proposals referred to, which will receive my careful consideration.