§ Mr. H. GRITTENasked the President of the Board of Trade the present price which the Government is paying for wheat delivered in this country from overseas; whether this price involves the commitment of this country to a further sum this year in the form of a bread subsidy; and whether he will consider the possibility of granting to farmers a greater freedom in the selling price of wheat, in view of the fact that with a higher price to the farmer in this country for home-grown wheat the increased supply would be to the advantage of the consumer and of national finance?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe average c.i.f. cost of all wheat imported during the financial year ending 31st March last was 04s. per 480 lbs. The estimated average c.i.f. cost for the current month is 104s. per quarter of 480 lbs The estimate for the bread subsidy for the current financial year recently submitted to the House was £45,000,000. So long as the bread subsidy continues it is impossible to decontrol wheat, but it has already been announced that higher prices will be paid to farmers for home-grown wheat harvested in 1920 and 1921.