Deb 25 April 1951 vol 171 cc497-8

2.44 p.m.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in view of the probably unfavourable outturn of the 1951 wheat crop in the United Kingdom, what steps they are taking to secure such additional supplies of wheat for import next Autumn as will enable them to avoid the rationing of bread.]

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH)

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that, in determining the volume of wheat imports needed to maintain flour supplies, we shall take full account of any loss caused by reduced acreage under crop, but it is too early, as yet, to form final conclusions.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, may I ask whether the Government are satisfied that, when they have formed their "final conclusions." the wheat will be there to buy?

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I think the noble Lord has as much experience as most of us in these matters. By the time we have estimated the effect of the late spring sowing and taken a general survey of the situation we shall be in a far better position to judge. I think the noble Lord had better wait until we see results.