HC Deb 06 November 1946 vol 428 cc1387-8
53. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Food why his Department is in no case paying more than the minimum price for its purchases of millable barley, however good the quality of the barley may be.

The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)

Because, Sir, my Department provides a guaranteed market for millable barley which is not sold to other users, at that price of 20S. 3d. a cwt. No one is preventing other users from paying a higher price.

Mr. Turton

Is the Minister aware that as a result of his policy, many farmers are losing 20s. a hundredweight on the barley of very good quality?

Mr. Strachey

They are enjoying the free market in that barley. There is no one preventing any user of it paying any price he likes.

54. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Food whether the deduction of 2s. 6d. per cwt. from the price of potentially millable wheat and barley is only made in those cases where the wheat and barley is actually conditioned.

Mr. Strachey

A deduction, not exceeding 2s. 6d. per cwt., can be made from the fixed price of potentially millable wheat or the minimum price of millable barley in any case where treatment would be necessary to render the grain millable. The deduction represents the cost of conversion and an allowance for wastage.

Mr. Turton

Is the Minister aware that the circular which his Department has put out throughout the country says that the reduction is 2s. 6d. a hundredweight and not 2s. 6d. per quarter, as I understood him to say? In view of his reply, will he withdraw that announcement, and make it that much less?

Mr. Strachey

I am very sorry. I apologise if I said "quarter." It should be "hundredweight."

Mr. Turton

In view of that reply, can we have at the end of the Session a change in the Minister's policy, and may we revert to 2S. 6d. a quarter?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir.