Mr. B. Harrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the wheat deficiency payment for the period from 1st December, 1955, to 29th February, 1956, amounted to; and whether it has yet been paid.
Mr. AmoryThe ascertained average price for about 12.6 million cwt. of mill-able wheat dispatched on delivery during the third accounting period (1st December, 1955, to 29th February, 1956) of the 1955–56 cereal year is 23s. 7.1d. per cwt. The standard price for the period is 30s. 11d. per cwt. and the deficiency payment will, therefore, be 7s. 3.9d. per cwt. (£7 6s. 6d. per ton). In addition, approximately 50,00 cwt. of wheat brought up22W to millable standard after sale will be included in the payment.
Except for a few certificates which are under query the total payment of £4.6 million to about 36,000 growers will be completed by the end of April.