§ Mr. Yorkasked the Minister of Food, in view of the lower price of American wheat as compared with American maize, he will consider purchasing extra wheat in the place of maize, and lowering the flour extraction rate, in order to increase the supply of wheat offals for animal feedingstuffs in lieu of maize; and what saving it is estimated would be effected by reducing the flour extraction rate to 75 per cent. compared with an equivalent quantity of maize.
§ Mr. WebbIt would not be economical at present to buy extra American wheat in place of maize because, while the price of American wheat under the International Wheat Agreement is lower than the price of maize, wheat bought outside the Agreement costs more. The full United Kingdom quota under the International Wheat Agreement is needed for flour and bread, even at the present extraction rate, and any additional wheat would, therefore, have to be purchased at the higher figure. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I give him on 31st January.