§ MR. JASPER MOREI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that farmers are anxious. to have official returns of malting, as distinguished from grinding, barley; whether there is any objection to ordering this double return as well as the present average composed of both; and, whether the same separate returns could be given of the best wheat as well as of inferior wheat.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HANBURY, Preston)The suggestion made by my hon. friend is one which has frequently been considered, although I have not recently received any representations from agricultural organisations on the subject. It was found to be very difficult, as I think my hon. friend would agree, to draw any 473 clear line of demarcation even between malting and grinding barley, and in the case of wheat there is only a mere graduation from good to inferior. The increased labour involved in the preparation of separate returns as proposed would moreover be very considerable, and legislation for the purpose of amending the Corn Returns Act would be necessary; but neither of them are insuperable objections if my hon. friend can show that the proposal is feasible and of real importance. As at present advised, I am afraid that it is not practicable for me to give effect to my hon. Friend's proposals.