Mr William Mabane: I am having information prepared and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as it is available.
Mr William Mabane: I had better answer the Question on the Order Paper first.
Mr William Mabane: No, Sir. I regret that the supply position does not yet permit a resumption of manufacture.
Mr William Mabane: There is every desire to resume manufacture as soon as the supply position permits.
Mr William Mabane: Yes, Sir. I am aware that limited quantities of this product have been sold and inquiries are being made into the source of supply. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 7th March to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie).
Mr William Mabane: Because we do not know.
Mr William Mabane: We are making inquiries to find out the source of supply. We have discovered the source of the first supply and that has been stopped.
Mr William Mabane: I do not know what the hon Member means when he says that the reports have been suppressed, but action in the form of a prosecution is a matter for the local authorities, who operate the Food and Drugs Act.
Mr William Mabane: My right hon. and gallant Friend sympathises with the difficulties of those who live alone, but he does not consider he would be justified in varying in their favour the general policy of fixing rations at the highest possible level for all to enjoy.
Mr William Mabane: The answer is "No, Sir."
Mr William Mabane: I do not think it quite works out that way.
Mr William Mabane: No, Sir, the stocktaking does not affect the question in which I know my hon. Friend is interested.
Mr William Mabane: I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise the inconvenience caused to farmers by restrictions on the movement of livestock imposed as a result of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Whenever practicable, special arrangements are made to accept marketable animals for slaughter without delay, but it is not possible to guarantee that the necessary...
Mr William Mabane: About 50 tons of oranges, all of the bitter variety, allocated for sale to the public in the Liverpool area have been recovered during the present month and sent to manufacturers in order to avoid waste.
Mr William Mabane: We will do our best.
Mr William Mabane: The supply in London has not equalled the demand and it would appear therefore that the taste in London is not so sweet as in Liverpool.
Mr William Mabane: Pregnant women are granted facilities to enable them to obtain extra milk as soon as medical evidence of pregnancy is produced. No further particulars are required.
Mr William Mabane: I will do my best.
Mr William Mabane: Retailers of eggs are provided with eggs to meet temporary ration cards. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of any cases where these arrangements have not worked satisfactorily I shall be glad to have them examined.
Mr William Mabane: No, Sir. It is not practicable or necessary to make such provision. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) on 14th March.