§ 60. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the present price of oats in Wales is 40s. per quarter, and there is only a limited market at this price; whether it is the intention of the Government to refund to the farmers any loss they sustain between the price guaranteed by the Government and the price at which they are able to sell in the 2089 market; and, in such cases where there is no market, whether the Government will purchase the grain at the guaranteed price?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)No price for oats of the 1918 crop was guaranteed by the Government. The prices which appeared in the Grain (Prices) Order, 1918, issued by the Ministry of Food are maximum prices only. The market reports obtained by the Board show that in nearly all the markets of the country oats are being sold at the maximum price. I am informed that, owing to difficulties of transport, it is difficult to sell oats in parts of Wales except at prices below the maximum, but I cannot hold out any hope that the Government will undertake to purchase them
§ Sir R. THOMASWould the Government make arrangements for these small farmers in Wales, who have only limited means, and who have been induced by the Government to grow more oats than they have been accustomed to do, thereby preventing them from having storage accommodation for these oats, so that they may get rid of their oats in order to enable them not only to get money to carry on their farms but also straw for their farms?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThis is really a local question. If my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any specific case, I will have inquiry made with a view to seeing what can be done.
§ General CROFTCould not these oats be sold at a very large profit to Germany, if there is no market for them in this country?