HC Deb 26 November 1928 vol 223 c29
35. Mr. NOEL BUXTON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether having regard to the continued reduction in the acreage of arable land and the discouragement to wheat growing afforded by the fluctuation in the price of wheat, he will institute an investigation of the plan for stabilising the price of wheat suggested by the departmental inquiry into the stabilisation of agricultural prices set up in 1924?

Mr. GUINNESS

These proposals were considered by the Royal Commission on Food Prices in 1925 who, after full and careful examination, rejected them. In these circumstances I do not propose to institute a further investigation.

Mr. BUXTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the reasons for disregarding the resolution of the Official National Council of Agriculture, which advocated an inquiry of this kind?

Mr. GUINNESS

I am afraid that I could not give the reasons within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but hon. Members will find them very conclusively stated in the Report of the Royal Commission on Food Prices.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the Minister aware that there are logical reasons against the conclusions reached by the Council?

Mr. GUINNESS

That is a matter of opinion. The Royal Commission hold a different opinion.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I find his constituents in Newmarket very much interested in this subject?