§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Minister of Food what is the quantity of wheat held by the Government at the present time, the date and price per quarter of the last purchase, and the amount of commission paid per quarter?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONSo long as the British Government remains in the position of a buyer of wheat on various markets, it is considered undesirable to publish figures relating to its total stocks or the price paid by it on any particular market; any such public announcement might easily prejudice its position as a buyer to the detriment of His Majesty's Exchequer. As regards the last part of the question, no separate rate of commission is paid by the Government to buying agents, any charge of this nature being included in the purchase price.