Mr. Scott-Elliot:

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that greatly increased quantities of barley are required for feeding livestock at home; and whether he will stop exports to Eire.

The quantity of barley exported to Eire is relatively small, and is used entirely for brewing beer for re-export to this country. In view of the importance of maintaining adequate supplies of beer, my right hon. Friend is not prepared to stop this export.

Will my hon. Friend arrange to send a little more barley to brewers in the West Midlands who should, but who do not, supply a sufficient quantity of beer? Is my hon. Friend aware that in the West Midlands we are 4 per cent. below the rest of the country?

If my hon. Friend goes into the percentages, he will find that the West Midlands are a long way above the pre-war cosumption figure.

But they are 4 per cent. below the rest of the country.