§ Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what was the average price c.i.f. of wheat imported into this country in the years 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919, and in the present year; and what was the maximum price allowed to farmers in the corresponding periods?
913W
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe average (c.i.f.) price of wheat imported into this country has been as follows:
1917 … 91s. 6d. per 480 lbs. 1918 … 100s. 10d. per 480 lbs. 1919 … 92s. 1d. per 480 lbs. Jan.-May 1920 … 95s. 0d. per 480 lbs. The corresponding price for 1916 cannot be given, as control was not commenced until 11th October, 1916.
The price of British wheat was subject to no control until 16th April, 1917, when a maximum price of 78s. per quarter of 480 lbs. was fixed for wheat harvested in 1916. On 14th August, 1917, the following maximum prices were fixed for wheat harvested in 1917:
- Where delivery is to be made before 1st December, 1917, 73s. 6d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (70s. per 480 lbs.)
- Where delivery is to be made in December, 1917, or January, 1918, 74s. 6d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (70s. 11d. per 480 lbs.)
- Where delivery is to be made in February or March, 1918, 75s. 6d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (71s. 11d. per 480 lbs.)
- Where delivery is to be made in April or May, 1918, 76s. 9d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (73s. 1d. per 480 lbs.)
- Where delivery is to be made on or after 1st June, 1918, 77s. 9d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (74s. 1d. per 480 lbs.)
On 31st August, 1918, the following maximum prices were fixed for wheat harvested in 1918:
- Where sale is made before 1st January, 1919, 75s. 6d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (71s. 11d. per 480 lbs.)
- Where sale is made in January, February or March, 1919, 76s. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (72s. 5d. per 480 lbs.)
- Where sale is made on or after 1st April, 1919, 76s. 6d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (72s. 10d. per 480 lbs.)
There was no maximum price for wheat harvested in 1919, but millers were instructed by the Food Controller that the prices to be paid by them should not exceed an average of 76s. 6d. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (72s. 10d. per 480 lbs.) for wheat purchased on rail at producer's station, or 77s. per qtr. of 504 lbs. (73s. 4d. per 480 lbs.) for wheat delivered into mill.