§ 23. Sir J. Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what revised estimate he has made of the cost of the oat subsidy in Scotland in 1961–62 if the present price of 13s. a cwt. remains.
§ Mr. LeburnIf the price realised in the United Kingdom for the 1961 oat crop fell to an average of 13s. per cwt., the total subsidy in Scotland would be £8.5 million.
§ Sir J. DuncanIs not that figure rather large? Taking all the cereals together, it would seam that from a present figure of about £60 million they will go to over £100 million in total, which will add an enormous amount to the taxpayers' bill. Will my hon. Friend take up with the Government at the highest level the whole question of anti-clumping and protective measures to see that a reasonable price is obtained for cereals in Scotland, particularly oats, so as to avoid this burden on the taxpayer?
§ Mr. LeburnThe figure is certainly alarming, but so, too, is the figure quoted in my hon. Friend's Question. I hope that it will prove to be only a hypothetical calculation.