§ 51. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, whereas in 1845 24,000,000 persons out of a total population of 26,000,000 in the United Kingdom were fed with bread made from home-grown wheat, 4,500,000 are now so fed out of a total of 44,000,000, a reduction of over 80 per cent.; and whether, in view of the possibility of national disaster resulting from the occurrence of a shortage in the world's crop, accompanied by an attempt on the part of a rival or unfriendly Power to corner the Russian and other overseas wheat markets, the Government propose to take any steps to promote an increase in the home production of wheat, or to secure the home-grown crop or a part thereof to meet the needs of a sudden national emergency?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government are fully alive to the various aspects of the question of the food supplies of this country in times of national emergency. As regards the last part of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave to him on the 29th ultimo, and to the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division on 2nd April last.
§ Mr. REMNANTWere the facts stated in the question present to the right hon. Gentleman's mind when he decided to alter 2247 the naval policy of the country from a two-Power standard to a one-Power standard?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Charles Bradlaugh brought in a Compulsory Land Cultivation Bill, and will the Government consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill of the same kind?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must ask for notice of that question.