asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the numbers of acres under cultivation in Wales of wheat, barley, and oats, respectively?

The area of land in Wales returned as under these crops in 1922 was as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a report of the Medical Officer of Health of the Manchester Port Sanitary Authority stating that the first shipment of Canadian store cattle to that port included animals affected with pulmonary tuberculosis; and what steps have been, or will be, taken to protect the public against the dangers arising therefrom.

Yes, Sir. The section in the Report, however, was not intended to suggest that Canadian cattle are affected with tuberculosis to any exceptional degree; indeed, it describes this consignment as "very healthy." With regard to the last part of the question, machinery is already in existence whereby inspectors of local authorities examine carcases and reject any which they consider unfit for human food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the recent achievement of the Buckingham branch of the National Farmers' Union in producing for 7d. a loaf of bread made entirely of English wheat flour; and, in view of the fact that this price is 2d. per loaf cheaper than the ordinary bread, will he cause inquiries to be made and enable other parts of the country, as well as agriculture generally, to benefit by this achievement?

I have heard with much satisfaction of this successful enterprise on the part of the Buckingham Branch of the National Farmers' Union. I understand that it has already been brought to the notice of all branches of the National Farmers' Union, and that many inquiries are reaching the Buckingham branch from other parts of the country. I see no reason why, if a sufficient demand is assured, arrangements should not be made throughout the country to place on sale bread made entirely of English wheat flour.

Does this 7d. a loaf include overhead charges, such as rates, taxes and so on?

It is the price at which the loaf is sold.

Has the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that a loaf produced entirely from English wheat is one which is in demand by the English consumer?

Will the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself by tasting the bread while he can get it?

I shall be most happy to do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the amount of malting barley grown in England and Wales for the years 1920, 1921, and 1922; the total amount of barley imported into this country for the same years; and whether the bulk of the imported barley was used for grinding and feeding purposes?

The quantity of barley imported into Great Britain in the years 1920, 1921 and 1922 was 569,000, 739,000 and 633,000 tons respectively. It is not possible to state how much of these quantities were used for grinding and feeding, but it is thought that on the average at least half of the imports are used for feeding livestock. The amount of the home-grown crop which is used for malting necessarily varies with the size of the crop, the suitability of the grain for malting, and the demand for malt. The statistics of the quantities of barley used in brewing and distilling do not distinguish between home-grown and imported barley.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any estimate as to what is likely to be the amount of revenue from the proposed imposition of a 10s. duty on barley?

That question must be put down.

Is it not a fact that the amount of imported malting barley is practically unaffected by the price, because it is required for quality, whether the price is high or low?

I am afraid that, I am not a brewer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a decision has yet been reached as to the channels through which it is proposed to make the advances to farmers of short-term credits under the Credit Facilities Scheme; whether it is proposed to make these advances through co-operative societies; and, if so, whether he will consider the claims of individual firms and traders?

My hon. and gallant Friend will understand that it is impossible for me to make a categorical statement at this stage on the point which he raises. I can only suggest that he should await the terms of the Bill.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult both the bodies mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member, namely, the individual traders and the co-operative societies, before drafting his Bill?

A Committee sat for months on this question, and, I believe, consulted every sort of interest affected.