§ Colonel Burtonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the return of visible world supplies of wheat is now the lowest for the past 10 years; and what steps he proposes to take to increase the production of wheat in this country?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that the estimated visible world supplies of wheat were lower on 1st February last than at the same date during each of the past 10 years. It is estimated, however, that when requirements of the importing countries have been met, there will be available at the end of the current cereal year substantially larger stocks than in1396W August, 1937. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the quantity of wheat eligible for full deficiency payments was increased under the Agriculture Act, 1937. From returns received from farmers in December last, it is estimated that the area sown to wheat in England and Wales this season will exceed that of last year by 100,000 acres.