asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider encouraging the retention of corn in ricks in order to create a further reserve supply of cereals foods which will be less liable to war damage?

I have been asked to reply. This question is already receiving consideration, and the hon. Member may be aware that in the general broadcast to farmers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 4th September, he urged upon them the desirability of retaining wheat in the stack as far as possible.

Could the right hon. Gentleman not make it a little more concrete than that, and give farmers a ground for doing this, because it is important that he should be precise at this moment?

As I say, the question is under consideration. A great many difficulties have to be surmounted in devising a scheme whereby due value to the community will result from a grant that is sufficiently great to provide an inducement to the farmers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that there is to be a scheme and that, therefore, he will want the farmers to stay their hands until such a scheme is produced?

No, I cannot in the meantime say more than my right hon. Friend has already said. I can say, and have said, that the matter is under consideration, and as soon as I am in a position to make an announcement, I will do so.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that corn in ricks is subject to destruction by rats and mice?

That is just one of the factors that make me say that it is doubtful whether at the present stage of our consideration due value to the community would result from a grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that he is fixing prices for agricultural products, he will bear in mind the need for a review of agricultural wage rates?

Agricultural wages are subject to the minimum rates fixed by the Agricultural Wages Committees established under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, and the Committees have full power to review the rates in force in their respective areas if and when they consider the circumstances so warrant.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give some direction to the Agricultural Wages Committees how they can handle this matter?

I have no power to give directions to the committees.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether he intends to rely upon the existing machinery, or has he an amendment of the Act in contemplation?

I cannot make any definite reply to that question. At present, I think it is well to let the normal wages machinery function.

In view of the fact that central organisations are being established to deal with all kinds of labour conditions, what is the objection to a central wages board being established at this time, to secure uniformity of terms for the farm worker?

That raises a very big question, and I think it is well to let the present arrangements function.

A very big question, a very small Minister.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to out line in detail the steps he desires farmers and others to take, to take advantage of the present favourable season for certain food protection measures?

I have already broadcast a general indication of the measures which the Government wish farmers to take, and in particular I have urged them to plough up at least 10 per cent. of their permanent grassland and sow it to suitable crops for next year's harvest. The detailed application of the Government's plans is a matter for the County War Executive Committees, who will be responsible for seeing that production is increased in their counties.

Is the Minister aware that the question deals with the present situation and that many farmers are unable even to get feeding stuffs, because their credit position with the merchants is so unfortunate, and such matters as that? Has he nothing to offer them at this time to enable them to take action?

I think the hon. Member is assuming rather a lot. Obviously, these questions are definitely under consideration, and I would ask him to remember that when all is said and done we have not been at war so very very long, and one cannot expect everything to be changed over absolutely at once. It may take weeks.