§ 22. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that private landowners, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and, in some cases, joint stock banks are putting pressure upon farmers to assign deficiency payments under the Wheat Act, 1932, to them in 14 payment for arrears of rent or reduction of overdraft; and will he state how many such certificates so assigned have been received by the Wheat Commission?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Major Elliot)I am aware that the Commissioners of Crown Lands have asked certain tenants whose rents are in arrear to assign deficiency payments under the Wheat Act., 1932, to the Commissioners, but I have no information regarding private landowners or joint stock banks. By the courtesy of the Wheat Commission, I have been informed by them that up to the 7th December, 75,259 wheat certificates had been received from registered growers and that to the same date notices of assignment had been received of the deficiency payment due on 142 certificates.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHow many of the 142 certificates were assignments over to the Commissioners of Crown Lands?
§ Major ELLIOTNone of the 142 assignments were in favour of the Commissioners of Crown Lands.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that the assignments were all made over to private landowners? In that case, will the right hon. Gentleman agree that consumers of bread in this country should be called upon to pay an excess price so that rent can be raised for private landowners?
§ Major ELLIOTI am sure the hon. Member will not expect me to discuss a long and controversial question like this by question and answer. I have answered the question on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that private landowners should be allowed to bring pressure to bear upon farmers?