asked the Minister for Supplies if he has confirmed the view that the farming community have withheld and are still withholding from the millers 100,000 tons of wheat of the 1941 crop; and, if so, whether he will state what steps, if any, have been taken or will be taken to secure that the wheat so withheld will be made available for milling purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Supplies for Milling.
There is no definite information as to the quantity of wheat which may be held by farmers surplus to their own requirements, but it appears clear that the total quantity is substantially less than 100,000 tons. It is very desirable that all surplus wheat should be made available for milling as early as possible and many appeals to farmers to market excess wheat held by them have been made through the Press. The question whether further measures can usefully be taken is at present under consideration.
What is the amended figure?
No reliable estimate is possible.
The Minister gave the figure of 100,000 tons?
I do not think so.
Has the Minister got is more than 190,000 tons now?
Not a lot more.
Then 100,000 tons is right?
100,000 tons is the figure by which our estimate of the amount which would be received was deficient.