Wheat Deficiency Payment

HC Deb 15 April 1957 vol 568 cc161-2W

Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the wheat deficiency payment will be for the period from 1st December, 1956, to 28th February, 1957; and when it will be paid.

Mr. Amory

The ascertained average price for about 10.2 million cwt. of millable wheat despatched on delivery in the United Kingdom during the third accounting period (1st December, 1956, to 28th February, 1957) of the cereal year 1956–57 is 25s. 5.3d. per cwt.

The standard price for the period is 30s. 8d. per cwt. and the deficiency payment will, therefore, be 5s. 2.7d. per cwt. as 4s. 6d. per ton). In addition, approximately 356,000 cwt. of wheat brought up to millable standard after sale will be included in the payment.

Except for a few certificates which are under query, the total payments of£2.75 million to about 35,000 growers will begin at once and will be completed by the end of April.