§ MR. HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if any calculation has been officially made by his Department of the period of time over which the quantity of wheat and flour usually in the United Kingdom would suffice for the food of the people at the existing rate of consumption, in case foreign supplies were stopped by war, blight, or other causes; and if any reserve of grain has been formed by the State for use in such eventuality?
§ MR. CHAPLINNo official estimate of the nature referred to has been prepared by the Board of Agriculture, or, as far as I know, by any other Department of the Government. The quantity of wheat and flour in the United Kingdom at any given date varies considerably, according to the period of the year. After harvest the supply is, of course, considerable; at the present time it is probably much less. It has been estimated by persons engaged in the corn trade that a consumption of 480,000 qrs. per week is required at the present time. Possibly seven times this amount may be in stock or undelivered. To this must be added the grain now in passage to the United Kingdom. The calculation of these several amounts is to a great extent, of course, a matter of conjecture. No reserve has been formed by the State.