HC Deb 18 December 1946 vol 431 cc1958-9
57. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to facilitate increased marketing of English wheat during January and February when U.S. supplies are likely to fall short, temporarily, of expectations.

Mr. Strachey

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on this matter: an announcement will be made shortly.

Mr. Hurd

Does the Minister realise that if he took appropriate steps now he would probably get 30,000 or 40,000 tons of additional English wheat marketed in January and February?

Mr. Strachey

We are very concerned about this matter. The hon. Member may already have seen that we have lowered the standard of potentially mill-able wheat to 50 per cent. sprouted.