§ 47. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether it is any part of the policy of his party to guarantee a fair price to the farmer for his produce; and, if so, how and when he proposes to give effect to it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Independent Labour Party, which is a section of the Labour party, has been working for some time at the problem of stabilising agricultural prices, and has made some proposals on the subject, but they have not yet been officially adopted by the Labour party, though the party is much interested in the matter.
§ Viscount WOLMERAre we to understand from that reply that the pledges now being given at the Spalding by-election are only like the Tanker-officer pledge and the unemployment pledge?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware that there has been any pledge.
§ Captain FITZROYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question of guaranteed prices is a matter of first-class importance, and that one of the candidates at the by-election, which is at 2054 present proceeding, has announced it as part of the Government policy? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to support the policy of this candidate or not?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am informed that that is not so. The subject, as I have said in my answer, is engaging very careful consideration, and certain sections of the Labour party have made up their minds about that. Beyond that it has not gone. The Government have an open mind on the subject.
§ Mr. PATTINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the promise was made in the candidate's address as well as in the circular?
§ Sir L. LYLEMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he sticks to the statement which he made in February, that under no circumstances will the Labour party give either a bounty or a subsidy?