§ 51. Mr. HOLMESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any estimate as to the amount payable to the farmers during the current financial year in virtue of the guarantee of prices under the Agriculture Act?
§ Mr. PARKERI have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture. No payments in respect of the 23 minimum guaranteed prices will be made in the current financial year. Payments in respect of wheat and oats harvested this year will not fall due till after 31st March, 1922, and the amount will depend on the difference between the guaranteed prices for 1921, which have not yet been fixed, and the average market prices of wheat and oats from September next to March, 1922. It is impracticable, therefore,. to supply any estimate at present of the probable liability on the State in respect of wheat and oats harvested this year.
§ 53. Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid up to 31st March, to the farmers in virtue of the Prime Minister's pledge guaranteeing the price of wheat?
Lieut.-Commander YOUNGThe amount paid in respect of the period up to the 7th March is £3,770. As from that date millers were requested to buy homegrown wheat of sound milling quality at 95s. per quarter of 504 lbs. pending further instructions.