§ Mr. ACLANDThe question which my hon. Friend raises is important and will be closely examined. Mustard certainly cannot be considered a national necessity in the same sense as wheat, and farmers would, I think, be wise not to assume that the acreage which they may place under mustard, in excess at any rate of that normally grown, will be specially profitable to them next season. It must not, however, be supposed that all the mustard is grown for use as a condiment. It is also grown as a catch crop or for green manure.
§ Mr. WILESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that 66,000 acres were sown with mustard in this country last season, and that contracts are now being made with farmers for the growing of large 864W quantities for the coming season; if so, whether mustard is to be treated as an article of necessity; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of taking steps that will ensure the growth of wheat or other grain of national importance on this land?