asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that electrically heated thermostat controlled incubators for hatching poultry commercially and chicken brooders are stopped automatically by power cuts; and what steps he proposes to take to limit the period of such cuts in agricultural areas.

The Chick Producers' Association have spared no effort to encourage their members to provide standby generating plant for their incubators and brooders; and I hope the hon. Member will do the same. Where chick producers find it is not feasible to install such stand-by plant, the area boards are doing what they can to help them.