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.