HC Deb 17 February 1930 vol 235 c917
54. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the comparative price of British wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes at the present time and at the same period last year?

Mr. N. BUXTON

The average price of British wheat last month was 9s. 6d. per cwt. as compared with the same figure for January, 1929. The figures for barley were, in January, 1930, 8s. 7d. per cwt., in January, 1929, 10s. 1d. per cwt., and for oats 6s. l1d. per cwt. as compared with 9s. 2d. per cwt. The average prices per ton at certain wholesale markets in England and Wales of Arran Chief and King Edward potatoes were £3 13s. 6d. in January, 1930, and £5 in January, 1929.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that potatoes are now selling at an average of about £1, and given to pigs?

— 1929. 1928. 1927. 1926 1925.
Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.
Wheat 77,661 86,644 106,854 100,031 102,744
Barley 196,927 204,576 182,617 192,036 199,107
Oats 76,143 70,205 63,640 66,354 64,730
Mixed Corn 2,194 1,888 1,360 1,717 1,649
Rye 4,214 3,891 4,321 7,824 8,142
Total Corn Crops 357,139 367,204 358,792 367,962 376,372
Arable land 730,992 741,118 746,397 751,706 758,315
Total Permanent Grass 274,209 264,934 262,520 256,097 252,781
Total cultivated area 1,005,201 1,006,052 1,008,917 1,007,803 1,011,096
Total agricultural land 1,073,944 1,073,794 1,076,121 1,070,896 1,074,049