§ Mr. W. SHAWasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the date on which it was decided to raise the maximum price of wheat from 75s. 6d. per quarter; the date on which the increase was publicly notified; and if he can explain how certain firms in the corn trade obtained prior knowledge which enabled them to forestall the farmers by making purchases at the then ruling maximum of 75s. 6d. per quarter?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have been asked to reply. On the 14th June last, with the concurrence of the Minister of Agriculture, I decided to issue to controlled millers an instruction raising the permitted average price for wheat of the 1919 crop, and circular letters conveying this instruction were issued to all such millers on the 15th June. With regard to the third part of the question there is no justification, so far as I am aware, for the statement that certain firms in the corn trade obtained prior knowledge of this instruction.