§ 48. Mr. Dyeasked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of the home-grown crops of wheat and barley harvested in 1955 have been exported up to the latest available date.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. A. R. W. Low)Crops are not distinguished according to year of harvest in the Trade Returns and wheat is not separately distinguished in the Trade Returns. 165,000 tons of barley and 30,000 tons of other unmilled cereals were exported in the period August, 1955, to March, 1956, inclusive.
§ Mr. DyeCan the right hon. Gentleman say why barley sold off the farms at about £22 per ton was exported from East Coast ports and yet farmers are having now to pay £28 a ton for barley imported into this country?
§ Mr. LowI have not exact knowledge about conditions in the market, but I know of no reason why sales should not have been freely negotiated at the ordinary market prices.