§ 60. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that there is a ready market for home-grown wheat at current prices, in view of the fact that the millers are glad to mix it with Canadian and Indian or Australian wheat to get the right mixture; and if he knows of any recent cases of British farmers being unable to sell their wheat at the market prices ruling?
Mr. GUINNESSHome-grown wheat normally finds a market for mixing with strong imported wheats, and for this purpose it is in direct, competition with other descriptions of imported wheat such as Argentine, of which there have been unusually large importations this year. The condition of much of the home crop has been poor this season owing to the unfavourable harvest weather, and it is possible that, in spite of the improved market during recent weeks for English as well as imported wheat, some of the former may even now be unsaleable for 1901 milling purposes, but the sales of British wheat as returned under the Corn Returns Act have been fully up to the average.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn that case, is there any reason why there should be an artificial restriction on millers, forcing them to take British wheat?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman had better put down another question.