§ Major WHELERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the recent increase of the price of flour by 9s. per sack of 280 lbs.; if he will state the corresponding increase in the price of wheat during the last six weeks; and whether the price of bread has been raised?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have been asked to reply. I have had my attention called to the fact that the price of London made straight run flour, which was quoted at 43s. per sack from 13th January till the end of the month, has been since raised on several occasions and was quoted on Tuesday of this week at 52s. The prices of various classes of wheat have been advanced, though not in the same degree. No. 1 Northern Manitoba, quoted in London at 55s. per 496 lbs. ex ship on 13th January, was quoted at 67s. on Tuesday of this week, while the advances in the prices of English wheat and of Australian wheat were about half that shown for Manitobas. I am informed that the price of bread was advanced in Liverpool at the beginning of last week from 8d. to 9d. per 4 lbs., and in Leicester and Nottingham this week from 9d. to 9½d., and from 9½. to 10d., respectively. It is reported that bakers who had been charging 8d. per 4 lbs. in London have, in some cases, advanced their price to 2133W 9d., but that where 9d. had been previously charged the price has not yet been raised. An increase of the price from 9d. to 10d., to take effect from Monday next, has, I understand, been announced.