§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether for motives of economy it has been decided to suppress the research laboratory dealing with the destruction of rats and mice, and the factory manufacturing suitable rat poisons; whether the factory has hitherto been run at a substantial profit; and whether he can give the House the 667W approximate amount of damage committed annually in this country by the depredation of rats alone?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir; in the present need for national economy, and following the recommendation of the Geddes Committee, His Majesty's Government proposes to close down the research laboratory and rat bait factory at the end of the present financial year. The factory is intended to supply bait free of charge for the destruction of rats on Government premises of all kinds, and the question as to making a profit does not therefore arise. I am advised, however, that if the factory were credited with the value of the sales at the price at which bait appears to be obtainable in the open market, a profit would be shown on the
Year. Wheat. Barley. Highest price per Imperial Quarter of 480 lbs. Lowest price per Imperial Quarter of 480 lbs. Highest price per Imperial Quarter of 400 lbs. Lowest price per Imperial Quarter of 400 lbs. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 1914 … … 43 3 30 11 30 6 24 2 1915 … … 62 0 42 9 48 11 29 7 1916 … … 75 10 46 3 67 5 45 6 1917 … … 85 2 70 2 76 1 56 10 1918 … … 74 8 71 1 62 7 56 5 1919 … … 73 10 72 2 108 11 61 10 1920 … … 90 11 72 6 110 6 72 7 1921 … … 89 10 44 0 74 1 41 0