§ Major KELLEYasked the Minister of Food the quantity of wheat, sugar, and 1100W butter held by the Government at the last ascertainable date; and are the prices bought at higher than to-day's, and if so, by how much?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI regret that it is impossible for me, as has been more than once stated in reply to similar questions, to publish figures of stocks of commodities of which the Government is still a buyer. I can, however, give the House the assurance that the stocks of wheat and sugar are adequate; and that, as regards butter, while this is notoriously in short supply, the Ministry holds considerable stocks. It is expected that throughout the winter the present rate of distribution will be maintained and may possibly be increased.