§ 4.7 p.m.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the next question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government what price per cwt. including acreage payment is being paid for wheat—
§ (1) Produced in the United Kingdom; and
§ (2) Delivered to main United Kingdom ports from (a) Canada; (b) U.S.A.; (c) Argentine.]
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, the fixed price ex farm of millable wheat produced in the United Kingdom averages in the current season 145. 10d. per cwt. and the acreage payment represents an addition of 2s. 4d. per cwt. For Canadian No. 1 Manitoba wheat the farmer receives 135 cents per bushel which equals about 12s. 7d. per cwt. He may also receive a further payment from the profits of the Canadian Wheat Board. The amount received by the farmer in the United States is based on the daily quotation of the Chicago Wheat Futures market, or other similar Futures market. The quoted price would include rail and handling charges from the farm to terminal elevators. The current price to the farmer is around 18s. per cwt. The price paid 988 to the grower in Argentina is at present about 15s. per cwt.
§ EARL DE LA WARRReading the words of this question I think the noble Lord has misunderstood it. The question is to ask His Majesty's Government what price per cwt. including acreage payment, is being paid for wheat delivered to main United Kingdom ports. He has only told us what is being paid to Canadian, United States and Argentine farmers. Therefore I think he will agree that he has not entirely answered the question in the way in which we had rather hoped.
§ LORD HENDERSONThe information I have given is the information which is available. I have no checked what difference there is between the price I have given and the price asked for in the specific question which the noble Earl has put to me.
§ EARL DE LA WARRThen the noble Lord does recognize that he has not answered the question.