HC Deb 07 March 1929 vol 226 cc563-4
53. Lord FERMOY

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated cost of stabilising the price of wheat at 60s. a quarter?

Mr. GUINNESS

On the basis of the average price during the first six months of the current cereal year, the difference between the price at which the last wheat crop in Great Britain was sold and 60s. per quarter is 16s. 11d. per quarter of 504 lbs., or 18s. 11d. per quarter of 480 lbs. If this difference in value is applied to the whole crop, the sum involved would be equivalent to about £5,000,000 in the former case and rather under £6,000,000 in the latter.

54. Lord FERMOY

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average prices of British wheat per 480 lbs. in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1928, respectively?

Mr. GUINNESS

As the reply contains a number of figures, I propose, with my Noble Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The average price per 480 lbs. of British wheat in England and Wales as ascertained from returns received under the Corn Returns Act, 1882, and the Corn Sales Act, 1921, was as follows in the undermentioned years:

Per 480 lbs.
s. d.
1924 49 3
1925 52 2
1926 53 3
1927 49 3
1928 42 10