38. Major BARNESasked the Prime Minister the nature and extent of the operations in which the Wheat Commission is still engaged; whether it is still purchasing wheat; if not, when the Commission made its last purchase; whether the wheat purchased has been disposed of; and, if not, how much wheat is still in the hands of the Commission?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have been asked to reply. The Wheat Commission is now engaged in liquidating its existing stocks, pending conclusion of the arrangement with the grain trade and milling industry, by which responsibility will be transferred from the Royal Commission to private enterprise. The Royal Commission has made no purchases since 21st March, and if, as is confidently hoped, arrangements for decontrol can be successfully accomplished, no further purchases will be made. The Commission's stocks of wheat and flour, including parcels afloat and unshipped, are approximately 470,000 tons.
Major BARNESIs the Wheat Commission also engaged in liquefying its profits by handing them over to British millers?