HC Deb 21 April 1921 vol 140 cc2066-7
64. Major BARNES

asked the Prime Minister if, on the occasion of a deputation to him from the National Union of Farmers, he promised to grant to the agricultural industry assistance from public moneys to tide over the situation caused by a fall in the price of wheat; if he proposes to assist the mining industry in a similar way to tide over the situation caused by a fall in the price of coal; and, if so, to what extent?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the latter part does not, therefore, arise.

Major BARNES

Is it not a fact that the millers of this country are being granted 25s. a quarter on every quarter of British milled wheat, and is not that money being given out of the trading account of the Wheat Commission, and will not -any deficiency or profit on the Wheat Commission have reference to public money, either as a charge or as an Appropriation-in-Aid?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is a different question from the one on the Paper.