§ Major BRAITHWAITEasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give an indication as to when he will introduce his new scheme of agricultural credits?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONMy right hon. Friend hopes to introduce the necessary legislation next Session.
§ Major BRAITHWAITEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the condition of the markets for barley and wheat, homegrown; and if he will consider the granting of special credits to farmers during the present Session?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONThe price of British wheat this season compares unfavourably with that obtaining in the past three seasons, but this is natural seeing that the world crop of this cereal promises to be a very large one. It is also the case that, no doubt owing to the bad weather at harvest and, consequently, a greater proportion than usual of the 1063W grain being damp, considerably under average quantities of home-grown wheat have been marketed this season.
The average price of barley, on the other hand, has been substantially higher than in any of the previous four seasons with the exception of 1924, and the quantities marketed appear to have been little below average.
My right hon. Friend can hold out no hope of any special credits to farmers of the type contemplated by my hon. and gallant Friend.