§ Mr. NEVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that a larger acreage than formerly shall be devoted to the cultivation of wheat, oats, and other bread-stuffs for the current year; and what steps he is taking to encourage such cultivation in the coming years, both during and after the War?
§ Sir HARRY VERNEYMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have supplied information and advice on this subject to a great number of farmers. According to the latest information in the possession of the Board there is likely to be a substantial increase in the acreages under grain crops, particularly wheat, this year. There would undoubtedly have been a still greater increase if unfavourable weather and shortage of skilled labour had not interfered with autumn cultivation.