§ 28. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to ensure that deficiency payments for wheat and for barley are paid to farmers with the minimum of delay.
Dr. HillUnder the provisions of the scheme as already announced, payment will begin next month on wheat certificates received for the period to 30th September. Any deficiency payment which may be due on barley will not be payable until after the end of the cereal year, but an advance payment is under consideration and an announcement will be made shortly.
§ Mr. RentonWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he will give an indication when farmers are likely to receive their first payments for wheat and barley, respectively?
§ Mr. HastingsDo these figures, which the Minister is giving to the House, include such foods as fresh fruit and vegetables, which contain vitamins so necessary for old people as well as for the rest of us?
Dr. HillThe answer to Question No. 33 does include the full details of the various vitamins to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Following are the figures:
Dr. HillIn the case of wheat, it is hoped that payments may begin soon. Difficulty has arisen because the certificates—some 21,000 of them—were due to be sent in by the end of last month and some 70 per cent. of those sent in were insufficiently or inaccurately filled in. Nevertheless, it is hoped shortly to begin wheat payments. As I pointed out to my hon. and learned Friend, with barley it is a question of payment at the end of the cereal year, but consideration is being given—and I say this without commitment as to the conclusion—to an advance payment on account.
Mr. Glenvil HallCould the hon. Member tell us what he estimates is likely to be paid, both for barley and wheat?
§ 30. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that farmers who have to send all their wheat to millers in order to qualify for subsidy are charged a commission of 50s. per ton on any of their own wheat which they buy back for grinding; and if he will take steps to prevent millers from charging a fee for which they perform no service.
Dr. HillGrowers are not compelled to send wheat to millers in order to qualify for deficiency payments. A grower who knowingly obtained re-delivery of his own wheat for grinding would be in breach of the Cereals Deficiency Payments Scheme and would, consequently, lose his entitlement to deficiency payments.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware that such things as are described in the Question are happening and, in fact, happened as recently as last week? Does he not think that the matter should be investigated, with particular reference to an extra profit which goes to the millers and which they do not earn?
Dr. HillIf the hon. Member has any example of the practice which is quoted, I shall be very happy to look into it.