§ 6. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the firm of Ross T. Smyth and Company, or a member or an employé of that firm, was employed by the Government to purchase Argentine wheat on Government account; whether he can definitely state that during the period this firm or individual was acting as agent for the Government, and immediately before commencing to purchase on Government account and immediately after completing purchase on Government 1962 account, the firm or any member or employé of the same had no transactions of any kind in wheat from any source on firm or personal account; whether any other firm or individual than the afore-mentioned purchased wheat on Government account; and, if so, whether he can give the same assurance?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Harry Verney)Messrs. Ross T. Smyth and Company were the only firm employed to purchase wheat. On commencing to buy on Government account they at once proceeded to liquidate the stocks of wheat held by them, and since the date at which they wore engaged by the Government they have bought no wheat on their own account other than a small quantity of last year's Indian crop which was expressly permitted.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWhy did not the hon. Baronet give this answer to a question I put some weeks ago, and thus allay apprehension in the minds of the grain merchants?
§ Sir H. VERNEYA few weeks ago was not an opportune time to give an answer.