asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information on the acreage of spring wheat planted up to the present; how far this falls short of the target; and whether he proposes to issue directions to ensure maximum sowing.

No information is available of the acreage planted with spring wheat, but having regard to the recent severe weather it cannot be large. Special targets for spring wheat, as distinct from targets for all wheat, have not been issued. Directions for the growing of wheat for the 1947 harvest have already been served, but under existing conditions I should not he justified in serving additional directions for the sowing of spring wheat.