Lieut.-Colonel AUBREY HERBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if, in the general interest, the price of hay will be controlled for the next year?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThis question is still under consideration. The Government hope to be able to announce their decision at an. early date.
Lieut.-Colonel HERBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of 1839W Agriculture if in some parts of the Yeovil Division farmers have not yet been paid by the Government for hay sold last autumn; and whether this payment will be made at once?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have been asked to answer this question. I am not aware that any War Department hay that has been delivered has not been paid for, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases he has in mind I shall be happy to have inquiry made. I would explain that farmers are entitled at the time of purchase, if they so request, to 50 per cent, of the estimated purchase price, but they cannot be paid the full amount until the hay is lifted and the actual weights ascertained.