§ Major BRAITHWAITEasked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the fact that imported barley was sold last year at 2s. per cwt. below the home-produced crop, and that responsible agricultural authorities have stated that in this country all farmers who grew barley last season made a loss of 10s. per acre, if he will say if the Government propose to take any action?
§ Viscount CURZONMy right hon. Friend has every sympathy with those British barley growers whose last crop was unprofitable, but there are large1102W numbers of farmers who desire to obtain barley as cheaply as possible for feeding purposes, and any action to increase the price received by the barley glower would not he welcomed by farmers who buy barley as a feeding stuff. My right hon. Friend therefore considers that it would not be in the best interest of British farming as a whole that the Government should take action in the case of barley growers alone.