asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the widespread indignation caused by the assertions of members of the Government that farmers have withheld large quantities of wheat from the market, thus causing a grave shortage, he can now publicly state that there is no truth whatever in these assertions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alleged Withholding of Wheat.
I am not aware of assertions to the effect that farmers have withheld supplies of wheat for the purpose of causing a shortage. It has been pointed out that deliveries to mills are much lower than was anticipated, and it would still appear that the quantities of wheat retained for growers' own use are greater than normal.
Might I remind the Minister that in my question I say that it has been asserted that farmers have withheld wheat, thus causing a shortage—not for the purpose of causing a shortage. That statement has been made by many of the Minister's colleagues, and it has been publicly denied by the Minister's own officials and by members of the Minister's own Party.
There must be some misunderstanding about it. It is quite obvious that the farmers have some wheat on hands, considering that it is coming in every day to the mills. It is still coming in.