§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate wheat supplies now available for export from the principal wheat exporting countries, and the approximate requirements of the wheat importing countries?
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§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. It is impossible to form at the present stage any accurate estimate of the wheat supply and demand during the present cereal year. The exportable surpluses from Canada and the, United States are approximately 23,500,000 quarters and 25,000,000 quarters respectively. But it is still very uncertain how much wheat will be licensed for export by the Indian Government, and the crops of Australia and South America are not yet harvested. There is still uncertainty as to the Balkan export and likewise as to the importation requirements of Central Europe which, to some extent, must be governed by the financial situation. I have no official information as to the import requirements of France, Italy, and other European countries which will require overseas supplies. But I have little hesitation in saying that actual and prospective supplies are adequate to meet all demands that can be foreseen at present.
§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Food if his Department is satisfied with the quality of the wheat from China; whether there is in it anything detrimental for human consumption; and what are his intentions in the matter?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, to the second in the negative, and to the third that the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies is prepared to make further purchases if necessary.