International Wheat Agreement

HC Deb 18 February 1953 vol 511 c1215

8. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Food to make a statement on the production of wheat under the International Wheat Agreement.

Major Lloyd George

I have no statement to make, but if my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind I shall be pleased to look into it.

Mr. Russell

Is it not a fact that under the present Agreement the acreage under wheat in most of the wheat-producing countries has gone down, especially in Australia; and does not the Minister, therefore, think that the Agreement needs revision in order to prevent that happening?

Major Lloyd George

The purpose of the Agreement, as my hon. Friend is probably aware, is to ensure supplies of wheat to the importing countries, and as such it has nothing to do with production.