§ 77. Mr. LANE-FOXasked whether the now scale of wheat prices recently issued fixes a maximum price only, but gives no guarantee of any minimum price to the farmer above that of 45s. per quarter given by the Corn Production Act; and whether this is the considered policy of the Government with a view to encouraging the growing of wheat in the United Kingdom?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe announcement as to wheat prices indicates that in the event of control being removed, farmers still have the benefit of a free market; but if it is found necessary in the national interest to retain control, they will receive the average c.i.f. price of imported wheat, provided that price does not exceed 100s, per quarter of 504 lbs. As already announced, it is proposed to introduce a Bill very shortly under which guaranteed minimum prices, based upon and varying with the cost of production, will be guaranteed on a higher scale than that provided in the Corn Production Act, 1917.
§ 78. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that this is the moment when farmers are having to decide whether to sow wheat for a spring crop or fallow their land for a wheat crop for 1921 harvest or to sow it down to grass; and whether the Ministry are encouraging the growing of wheat by still limiting the price until 1921 to 76s. per quarter, at which price already 400,000 acres have gone out of wheat cultivation this year.
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and, with reference to the second part, it is hoped that the announcement recently made will have the effect desired of stimulating the growing of wheat.