§ 24. Mr. Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider encouraging the retention of corn in ricks in order to create a further reserve supply of cereals foods which will be less liable to war damage?
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I have been asked to reply. This question is already receiving consideration, and the hon. Member may be aware that in the general broadcast to farmers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 4th September, he urged upon them the desirability of retaining wheat in the stack as far as possible.
§ Mr. J. MorganCould the right hon. Gentleman not make it a little more concrete than that, and give farmers a ground for doing this, because it is important that he should be precise at this moment?
§ Mr. MorrisonAs I say, the question is under consideration. A great many difficulties have to be surmounted in devising a scheme whereby due value to the community will result from a grant that is sufficiently great to provide an inducement to the farmers.
§ Mr. MorganWill the right hon. Gentleman say that there is to be a scheme and that, therefore, he will want the farmers to stay their hands until such a scheme is produced?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, I cannot in the meantime say more than my right hon. Friend has already said. I can say, and have said, that the matter is under consideration, and as soon as I am in a position to make an announcement, I will do so.
§ Sir Ernest SheppersonIs my right hon. Friend not aware that corn in ricks is subject to destruction by rats and mice?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is just one of the factors that make me say that it is doubtful whether at the present stage of our consideration due value to the community would result from a grant.