Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons at on 1 February 1940.
Sir Francis Fremantle
, St Albans
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the settled war-time policy of the Government to encourage the dispersal of the flocks of specialist poultry-keepers amongst general farmers, cottagers and back-yarders; and whether this is intended to increase the supply of eggs and poultry required for general consumption in the war?
Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith
, Petersfield
The general policy of the Government was stated in the announcement of 22nd November last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. A process of adjustment in the poultry industry is inevitable under wartime conditions and although there is likely to be some reduction in the output of eggs and poultry from specialist holdings, an increase in output is expected from other sources which should compensate to some extent for the decline from the former class.
Sir Francis Fremantle
, St Albans
Does my right hon. and gallant Friend recognise that chickens and eggs are the basis of convalescent diet, and that, therefore, they would be required to a greater extent than in peacetime in case of really serious casualties in tin war?
Sir Harold Boyce
, Gloucester
Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the proposed method of dispersal of poultry-keeping will seriously reduce the quantity and the distributive facilities of the eggs available and will result in time in acute shortages in the more populated centres?
Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith
, Petersfield
We have to try and all our supplies of feeding-stuffs to the best possible advantage.
Sir Francis Fremantle
, St Albans
Can some special effort be made to supply feeding-stuffs now that the hatching season is due to begin?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
