HC Deb 12 July 1956 vol 556 c561
1 and 2. Mr. Dye

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the average value per ton of home-grown barley exported since 1st August, 1955;

(2) the average value per ton of barley imported since August, 1955.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)

The average values are £25 18s. f.o.b. for exports and £24 6s. c.i.f. for imports in the period August, 1955, to May, 1956.

Mr. Dye

In view of the fact that most of the home barley is sold on the farm at £22 a ton and is subject to subsidy, may I ask whether it is good business to subsidise home-grown barley for export? Would it not be better to store it rather than import more?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Any qusetion about agricultural subsidies should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.