§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hants, Basingstoke)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the average price of barley in the Winchester Market for the week ending 4th November was recorded by the Inspector for the purposes of the corn averages as 36s. 8½d., whereas the average price recorded in four neighbouring towns was only 26s. 4½d.; whether he is aware that a short time ago the price of 150 quarters of barley sold in Winchester was recorded at 28s. a quarter, whereas it was sold by a Surrey farmer at 23s. a quarter; whether, as the price thus recorded is deceptive and misleading for the purposes of the corn averages which regulate the tithe average and other matters, he will take steps to insure that in future the prices 472 paid to the corn grower shall be the prices recorded for the purposes of the corn averages?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. H. GLADSTONE, Leeds, W.)I will answer this question for my right hon. Friend. The average price of barley in the Winchester Market during the week ending the 4th November was 36s. 8¼d., the figure being high as compared with the average of the rest of England, in consequence of the fact that all the samples of barley bought were of the best quality. Without further and more detailed information as to the neighbouring towns to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and as to the transaction mentioned in the second paragraph of the question, I am unable to say whether the other facts mentioned by him are correctly stated. With regard to the suggestion contained in the concluding paragraph of the question, I may say that legislation would be necessary to give effect to it. The desirability of a change of the law in the direction indicated was, however, considered by the Select Committee on Corn Averages in 1888, and decided in the negative, and I see no reason to think that the conclusion arrived at ought now to be reviewed.
§ MR. JEFFREYSWill the hon. Gentleman inquire as to the allegation in the second question if I supply him with facts?
§ MR. H. GLADSTONEI will see that the question of the hon. Member is submitted to the Department.