asked the Minister of Food whether he will modify his announcement to permit an increase in the production of whisky and devote, during the present food crisis, the amount of grain which he proposed to allow to the distillers to more useful purposes.

I have not yet made an announcement on this matter.

Is the Minister aware that throughout the barley growing areas of the North-East of Scotland vast quantities of barley are deteriorating because there is no demand for it other than for distilling, which the right hon. Gentleman will not allow?

No, Sir. There is indeed a very strong demand for barley for other purposes. It is needed desperately for feedingstuffs. That does not mean that I do not consider the use of it for distilling to be a very important one, because of the export trade, and I very much hope to be able to allow some to be used for that purpose.

Do I understand from the original reply that neither the Minister nor his Department has made any announcement with regard to the matter?

I hope to do so very shortly.