§ Colonel BURTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware chat the market price of English wheat is from 6s. to 7s. per quarter lower than its value in comparison with the price of foreign wheat, after taking into consideration the difference in condition; and whether, in view of the desire of the Government to increase the arable area in this country, he will institute an inquiry into the causes of this discrepancy in prices.
Mr. WOODI am advised that the difference in price as between average English wheat and an imported variety such as No. 1 Northern Manitoba is largely due to differences in quality and condition, though it is also due in part to the relatively short supply of hard wheats. The price of English wheat of the 1924 crop bears a reasonable relation to the prices of the weaker imported kinds such as Indian, Chilian and Australian. I will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion in the last part of his question, but I am not at present satisfied that such an inquiry would serve any useful purpose.