§ Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that through having control of shipping the Government has been able to compel Australian farmers to accept 39s. per quarter for the wheat purchased from them on which the freight charge to England is 15s. per quarter; and can he say why, under these circumstances, the Government has not compelled British farmers to sell wheat at less than the maximum price which has been fixed at 78s. per quarter?
Captain BATHURSTThe figures given in the question are inaccurate; I may add that there is no relation between the price agreed to be paid for Australian wheat 2595W under a contract made several months ago and the price at which farmers are now compelled to sell home-grown wheat.