§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Agriculture the present amount paid by the Wheat Commissioners per sack of flour to wheat-growing farmers; and the total amount paid since the Order was made up to the nearest available date?
§ Mr. ELLIOTSo far, deficiency payments under the Wheat Act, 1932, have 351W been paid by the Wheat Commission only in respect of wheat sold by registered growers during the cereal year ended 31st July, 1933. The net amount paid was 4s. 5¼d. per cwt., or practically £1 per quarter, in respect of all millable wheat certified as sold in that year, representing a total of £4,510,946 for the year. The net amount of quota payments made to the Commission by millers and importers of flour during the first accounting period ending on 31st July, 1933, was £4,774,207, and averaged 2s.7⅛d. per sack of 280 lbs. of flour. I understand that the Wheat Commission intend to make a first advance of 3s. per cwt. (13s. 6d. per quarter) to wheat growers on 25th November on account of deficiency payments for 1933–34.