§ 25. Captain CLIVEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the average weight of the imperial bushel, as deduced from the table on page 121 of the latest agricultural statistics, is for wheat 61.74 pounds, barley 53.6 pounds, and oats 39.33 pounds, as compared with 60 pounds, 50 pounds, and 39 pounds, the figures laid down in Section 8 of the Corn Returns Act, 1882; whether this causes an appreciable error in the calculations of the annual value of tithe, besides rendering the official prices of corn misleading; and, seeing that, though Select Committees inquired into this subject in 1888, 1891, and 1893, none has been appointed since, he will consider the desirability of appointing such a Committee?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe mean estimated natural weights of wheat, barley, and oats in England and Wales during the last seven years are as stated in the first part of the question. As the basis of conversion laid down by the Act is always published as a note to the Corn Averages in the "London Gazette," I do not think that the prices can be regarded as misleading, although they necessarily differ from the quotations at markets where different weights per bushel are used in the sale of corn. The question of instituting an inquiry into the sale of corn by weight or otherwise is under consideration.
§ Captain CLIVEDoes the right hon. Gentleman admit that the calculations of tithe are inaccurate?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOh no, I do not admit that at all.
§ Captain CLIVESeeing the differences mentioned in my question, they surely must be inaccurate?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, our figures are given in accordance with the Corn Returns Act, and they have been given in that form for the last thirty years.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it not the fact that, owing to the steady improvement in the breeds of wheat, the weight of the bushel is steadily increasing every year?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI admit that there is ground for considering the starting of some uniform system of measuring the corn, and that is one of the points under consideration.