§ 74. Major WHELERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that a ton of milling offals from wheat for cattle feeding costs, at the present time, about £18 10s., whereas a ton of wheat costs about £17; and what steps he proposes to take to enable farmers to obtain such offals at a cheaper price?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have been asked to reply. A ton of home-grown wheat costs about £17; but the price, ex-mill, of coarse and fine offals is £12 10s. and £14 10s. per ton, respectively.
§ Major WHELERMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he realises that such prices are very detrimental as regards the production of cattle at the present time, and will he see if they can be materially reduced?
§ Mr. RATCLIFFEIs the hon. Gentle man aware that the farmer, having sold his wheat at £17 per ton, when he requires to buy feeding cakes, for the production of both milk and meat, has to give £25 per ton to the various seed-crushing companies, who are making enormous profits; and will he see if it is not possible to re duce the prices of feeding cakes while still leaving them a good profit on their work?
§ Mr. McCURDYI will convey those suggestions to my right hon. Friend.