§ 49. Mr. Snaddenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction prevalent amongst oat growers as a result of the announcement of only a maximum price for oats, whereas wheat prices are fixed; and whether he will take steps to fix a guaranteed price of 14s. 6d. per cwt. for oats of milling quality and so place this crop on a parity with wheat?
§ Mr. BoothbyThe prices prescribed for oats and other cereals of this year's crop 781 were settled after full consideration by the Government. I regret that I can hold out no hope of any variation of these prices.
§ Mr. SnaddenDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise that there is no guarantee that the grower will secure maximum prices, while, on the other hand, in regard to oatmeal, which is at the moment excluded, there is the certainty that prices will be related to the maximum? Is that a fair position to the grower of the oats and to the consumer of the oatmeal; and will the Parliamentary Secretary use his great weight to eliminate this profiteering?
§ Mr. BoothbyAs my hon. Friend knows, there is a difference between oats and wheat. I do not think that the growers of oats will find themselves very hardly treated under the scheme.