§ 12. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government are still owners of any stocks of wheat either in this country, any of the Dominions, or any other foreign countries; and, if so, can he state approximately what quantities are held and what steps are being; taken to dispose of the same?
58. Mr. L. MALONEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that there are miles of stacks of wheat belonging to the British Government, and paid for, in Australia awaiting higher prices; whether he is aware that this has led to a plague of mice; whether he has any information to the effect that eight tons of bodies of these creatures have been collected in one spot; and whether, in 973 view of the, colossal waste involved in such hoarding of food supplies, the Government will take immediate steps to bring this wheat to the markets of the world?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONHis Majesty's Government own no stocks of wheat in any part of the world.
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARD(later): On a point of Order. I would like to know whether it is intentional that Question 58 has been passed over? Is the whole story admitted to be a lie?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat Question has been answered.