§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the last ten years, and in spite of the development of statutory small holdings, the area of land under arable cultivation in Great Britain has shrunk by over a million acres, or about 7 per cent.; and whether, in view of the continuing depopulation of rural areas, the increased dependence of the nation upon external supplies of wheat, and the consequent necessity of spending large sums of public money upon the maintenance of a predominant Navy, he will consider the desirability of rendering the country more self-contained in the matter of its wheat supply, and possibly saving part of the cost of naval construction by offering to small holders as a bonus the difference between the current price of wheat per quarter and the price at which such producers could grow it at a profit?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I am not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the adoption of this suggestion would involve the cheapening of the cost of living of working men?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware that it raises a large number of controversial subjects.