§ 26. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of acres of wheat cultivated in Lancashire last year and the amount of deficiency payments paid out under the Wheat Quota Act to farmers in Lancashire up-to-date?
§ Major ELLIOTThe area under wheat in Lancashire in 1932 was 14,709 acres. I am informed by the Wheat Commission that up to 25th March a sum of£25,400 has been paid to registered wheat growers in Lancashire by way of advances on account of the deficiency payments to which they will become entitled under the Wheat Act, 1932.
§ 31. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has information to lead him to believe that the diminished sowing of barley is likely to lead to such an increased sowing of wheat that the quantum under the Wheat Act may be exceeded, and that as a result the average guaranteed price may be reduced below 45s.?
§ Major ELLIOTAlthough there has been some diversion of barley land to wheat growing the information available does not lead me to anticipate for the present that the specified maximum quantity, namely, 27,000,000 cwts. of wheat under the Wheat Act, 1932, is likely to be reached.