§ 47. Mr. MAXTONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Russia will be able to export about 5,000,000 tons of grain from her 1925 harvest; and whether, in view of the high cost of bread in Great Britain, which presses heavily on the working-class families, the Government will take steps to purchase the whole of Russia's exportable grain and market it in Great Britain at a price to cover the bare expenses?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to reply. I am advised that it is too early to form any trustworthy estimate of the Russian grain crop, although reports indicate that if the harvest is favourable there should be some exportable surplus. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, and in this connection I may point out that the Royal Commission on Food Prices were not convinced that State purchases would result in cheapening the food of the people, and recommended the Government to refrain from embarking upon them.