§ 92. Mr. PERCY HARRIS (Leicester, Market Harborough)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the War Office has been buying hay and straw in 665 Leicestershire by compulsion at £5 per ton for hay and £5 10s. for clover hay, carted free to the railway station, without due notice, although previous to the edict it was worth 50 per cent. more in the open market; whether he is aware that the hay was required by the farmers for feeding their own stocks; and whether he will make arrangements with the War Office that the individual requirements will be taken into account before compulsory purchases are made?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)I am informed that the prices which are being paid in Leicestershire by the War Office for hay and clover hay are 7s. 6d. in advance of the prices mentioned by the hon. Member, which are those suggested by the County Committee and approved by the Forage Committee last autumn. A farmer who is dissatisfied with the prices can appeal to the Commission presided over by the hon. and learned Member for Exeter for a revision of them. I understand that in no case is any hay taken without notice or any taken which a farmer requires for feeding his own stock. If the hon. Member knows of any case where this is not so I shall be glad if he will send me particulars so that I can have them immediately investigated.