HC Deb 19 February 1942 vol 377 cc1898-9
49. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement relating to prices of agricultural products consequent upon the recent increase in wages costs?

51. Dr. Russell Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the revised list of agricultural prices has now been fixed; and whether the increased cost will fall on the Treasury or on the consumer directly?

55. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statement to make about the proposed increased prices to agricultural producers?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

I regret that I have nothing to add at the moment to the reply given to Questions by my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) and Sudbury (Colonel Burton) on 12th February, but I hope to be able to make an announcement during the course of the next few days.

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. Friend bring home to the Treasury the disastrous consequences of this wholly unnecessary delay?

Mr. Hudson

I cannot accept the suggestion that the delay has been wholly unnecessary. I have often told hon. Members that there is a singular lack of statistics for the agricultural industry, and as a result it is possible to hold perfectly honest and sincere opinions about costings which differ widely from each other, and the task of reconciling these calls for patience and statesmanship and requires time. That is what we are engaged upon at the present time.

Major Cazalet

May I ask whether in fixing these prices the Government are taking into account the kind of crops which they wish to be planted in the spring?

Mr. Hudson

Owing to the weather during the last six weeks, there has been a complete hold-up of agricultural operations, and therefore the delay, though regrettable, has not in fact done any harm.

Mr. De la Bère

The same specious arguments used over and over again by the Treasury are not a solution.

Mr. Moelwyn Hughes

Is the Minister bearing in mind, in fixing these prices, the need for having prices which will represent a return to the small farmer?

Mr. Hudson

All relevant considerations are being borne in mind.