HC Deb 02 November 1916 vol 86 cc1818-9
49. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that wheat has been sold on the Baltic Exchange at 80s. per quarter; and, in view of the fact that he has secured wheat from Australian farmers at 40s. per quarter, will he take steps to take over all wheat in possession of farmers in this country at or about this price?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The data on which this question is based cannot be accepted by me, and I do not think that the step proposed by the hon. Member is at present necessary or advisable.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

May I ask what price has been paid to American farmers for wheat, and why the same price should not be paid to English farmers?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It is quite open to the hon. Gentleman to ask the question, but it would be most injudicious for me to answer it.

Mr. HOUSTON

Can my right hon. Friend explain why, when the freight on wheat goes down the price of flour goes up?

52. Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the delay in announcing that the Wheat Commission will be provided with tonnage at the same cost as the Sugar Commission is due to the efforts of the Board to provide cheaper tonnage; and, if not, to what is it due?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The question as to what arrangements for the transportation of wheat purchased by the Wheat Commission would be most in the national interest has been a very difficult one, and has been under careful examination by the Departments concerned. It has now been decided that for the present, the Commission's wheat shall, a3 far as possible, be carried in requisitioned vessels under the same terms and conditions as those now in force for the transportation of sugar. The tonnage problems of the Wheat Commission are, however, much more complicated and difficult than those of the Sugar Commission.

Mr. W. THORNE

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason as to how it is since he made his statement to the House that wheat has gone up 9s. per quarter?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Well, Sir, that is only another proof of what has often been said in this House: that the price of wheat is not made in England, it is made by all the sources of supply.