Wheat (Hansard, 19 May 1965)

§ 19. Mr. Sheldon
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the price of home-produced wheat to become competitive with that from Canada.

§ Mr. Hoy
Canadian hard wheat and home-produced soft wheat are different types of wheat and I would expect that the former will continue to command a higher price on the market.

§ Mr. Sheldon
Is not my hon. Friend aware that although the types are different, Canadian hard wheat is much preferred by the majority of people in this country in the manufacture of flour and that it is cheaper than any alternative which can be produced in this country, even though the latter is generally accepted as being of lower quality? Is my hon. Friend further aware that the £70 million which we are spending on cereals is not being equated by the value which is received?

§ Mr. Hoy
One has to remember that hard wheat is essential for bread-making to give stability. The soft product which we have in this country is admirable for cakes, biscuits, and so on. What is required is a combination of both. While there are two different types, one will always have a premium value over the other.

§ Mr. Scott-Hopkins
Is it not a fact that the Chorley Wood process of baking, which is being introduced in most of the large bakeries, is increasing the percentage of soft wheat which goes into the grist? To what extent is this practice increasing and taking up the soft wheat from our home-grown crop?

§ Mr. Hoy
I cannot give a figure. It is a combination of the two which produces the end product. Bread tastes vary, and if we can absorb more of our home production, certainly we will do so. If I am able to obtain figures, I will certainly let the hon. Member have them.

§ Mr. Shepherd
In formulating policy, will the Minister bear in mind our adverse trading balance of well over £250 million with Canada last year? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]

§ Mr. Hoy
Indeed, we will. I do not understand the shouts of, "Hear, hear" from hon. Members opposite, because we are simply continuing the cereals agreement entered into by the previous Government.