§ 25. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before agreeing to an extension of the production of wheat at a guaranteed price, any figures were examined on the cost of production; and, if so, whether he will make such figures available to Members of this House?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as sufficiently representative figures to show recent increases in costs of wheat production are not available. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House exactly on what the Government base their guaranteed figure of 45s. per quarter, if they have no costs on which to base it?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe figure was fixed some time ago; the present decision merely increases the quantity.
§ Mr. WilliamsWould it not be possible for the agricultural statistics department at Cambridge or elsewhere to obtain for the right hon. Gentleman the requisite figures?
§ Mr. MorrisonA number of figures relating to costs of production are in existence, but they vary very greatly from year to year according to the weather.