§ Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture the guaranteed price per cwt. for oats, barley, wheat and bacon per score prior to the outbreak of hostilities and at the latest date; and the total money increase in guarantees based upon a normal year's output?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe standard price for oats under the price insurance provisions of the Agricultural Development Act, 1939, has been increased from 8s. to 9s. per cwt. by an Order made under Part I of that Act, for which the affirmative approval of Parliament will be sought at an early date. It is also proposed to seek the authority of the House to an increase from 10s.to 11s per cwt. in the standard price of wheat under the Wheat Acts. Under the Barley Scheme made under Part II of the Agricultural Development Act on 28th July, 1939. payments would be made to barley growers if the ascertained average price of barley fell short of 10s. per cwt. No alteration has been made in these provisions.
In the case of oats and barley it seems unlikely that any payments will fall to be made to growers in respect of the 1939 crops under the provisions of the Agricultural Development Act. The increase in the gross financial returns to farmers resulting from the higher price for wheat 433W may be estimated roughly at £1,400,000 per annum on the basis of the average acreage of recent years. The hon. Member will, of course, appreciate that the bulk of this gross increase in returns will be absorbed by increased costs.
As regards pigs, the position has radically changed as a result of the institution of a schedule of fixed prices for pigs whether they go for pork or bacon, and of the effect of the shortage of feeding stuffs on the rate of fattening. In these circumstances it is not possible to frame any useful estimate of the money increase to farmers suggested in the Question.