§ Major Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the recent investigation of the cost of growing wheat by the Standard Price Commission, which indicated that 54s. would be a more suitable figure than the present price of 45s.; and, as costs have risen recently still further, will he be prepared to treat this matter as one of urgency for raising the standard price, especially in view of the appeal for greater production?
Sir R. Dortnan-SmithI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Standard Price Committee did not recommend an increase in the standard price of wheat. Their report, however, related to peace-time conditions and in the altered circumstances that have since occurred,434W the Government propose, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food yesterday, to seek the approval of Parliament to an amendment of the Wheat Acts which will enable the standard price of wheat sold during the current cereal year to be raised to 11s. per cwt. or 49s. 6d. per quarter.