§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to make advance payments on account of deficiency payments for the cereal year 1955–56 in respect of barley, oats, mixed corn and rye.
Mr. AmoryAdvance payments on barley, oats, mixed corn and rye have been considered in consultation with the Cereals Deficiency Payments Advisory Committees on which the principal interests concerned with the production and marketing of these crops are represented. The deficiency payment on these crops cannot be calculated until after the end of the cereal year but advance payments may be made if they seem justified. It has been decided to make advance payments for barley and rye. As regards oats, only a small proportion of the crop has yet been marketed and present prices are at or near the standard price of 23s. 3d. per cwt. A decision as to an advance payment on oats and mixed corn has, therefore, been deferred until February.
The advance payment on barley will be £3 per acre. The payment will begin during December and is expected to total about £6 million.
The advance payment on rye will be at the rate of 3s. per cwt. Payment will begin in January and will continue on certificates as they are received. If two-thirds of the estimated crop is sold, the advance payment will amount to £36,000.