HC Deb 18 December 1919 vol 123 c660
63. Major HOWARD

asked the Prime Minister whether, when the undertaking was given by the Government on the 19th November, 1918, that the minimum price of home-grown wheat should not be less than 71s. 4d. per quarter of 480 lbs. an undertaking was also given that the above minimum price should be the maximum; and, if so, to whom, and also why was it given?

THE PRIME MINISTER

No undertaking of the kind was given. The Government undertaking was that the prices paid to farmers for controlled cereals harvested in 1919 should not be less than those prevailing (November, 1918), which, in subsequent statements, were defined as 71s. 11d. per 480 lbs. for wheat of sound quality. The actual price at which wheat of the current crop is being bought is determined by the Food Controller, and the present average is about 1s. above the promised minimum.