§ 55 Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked (1) whether, in view of the impossibility, owing to the non-availability of male labour on account of universal military service, of re-sowing farm lands in several Continental countries of wheat and other cereal crops and the consequent certain prospect of a world shortage of such produce, the Government will provide some financial inducement to British farmers to increase the British area under such crops in 1915; (2) whether, in view of the probable widespread destruction of farm crops in Continental countries owing to trampling by troops, pillage, and fire, and the probability of deflection to such countries of a large proportion of the normal overseas' supply to the United Kingdom, the Government propose, by bonus or otherwise, to encourage farmers to retain in stack upon their own premises until the summer of next year a large proportion of the British wheat crop now being harvested; and (3) if the Government will assist British farmers in the patriotic duty of keeping upon their premises as large a proportion as possible of the wheat now being harvested in Great Britain, by issuing negotiable wheat warrants or certificates, as is done in Canada, representing farmers' stocks of wheat upon the security of which they will be able to obtain temporary advances which will enable them to carry on their business without the necessity of throwing such wheat upon the market?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD Of AGRICULTURE (Sir Harry Verney)As the hon. Member is aware, these matters have been under the 153 consideration of the Agricultural Consultative Committee, who have forwarded to the Board valuable recommendations. The whole question is also receiving the fullest consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Food Supplies. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.