HC Deb 02 February 1954 vol 523 c24W
86. Mr. Jay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far it is the policy of the Government to encourage the import of Australian wheat into this country in order to save dollars.

Mr. R. A. Butler

It is the Government's policy that wheat for consumption in the United Kingdom may be imported freely by private traders from any part of the world. Traders, naturally, go to the source offering the most favourable prices, terms and conditions for the types and qualities of wheat they require. Australian wheat is, in the main, a "softer" wheat. To make satisfactory bread flour, it is necessary to include a fairly high proportion of "hard" wheat. The Government trusts that Australia will continue to secure her fair share of the trade.