HC Deb 03 June 1924 vol 174 cc1071-2
78. Mr. DODDS

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the amount of compensation paid for dairy cattle slaughtered in Cheshire during the earlier months of the foot-and-mouth disease has fallen short of the cost of replacement; that owing to the rise in values consequent upon the reduction in the number of cattle in the country, as recognised by the Ministry in their later valuation, the farmers whose cattle were first affected by the disease have been placed at a serious disadvantage; and whether he will take steps at an early date to remedy such inequality?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)

The amount of compensation paid in the cases to which the hon. Member refers was settled in accordance with the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act. My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to entertain any claim for further compensation on the grounds suggested.

Major Sir HARRY BARNSTON

is my hon. Friend aware that these unfortunate men who lost their stock early got much less compensation, and also lost their profits for a much longer time?

Mr. WHITE

Is the Minister fully seized of the very serious situation in which many of these dairy farmers find themselves, owing to the fact that they have been deprived of business turnover, and have had to use the compensation money in some cases for other purposes?

Mr. SMITH

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the difficulties which have been associated with this disease in Cheshire, but the Ministry is governed by the terms of the Act, and the compensation is paid on the valuation made at the time of the slaughter. The award which fixes the valuation is signed by the farmer, and he declares himself satisfied to accept the price so fixed. It is impossible to review these claims months afterwards.

Mr. DODDS

Is the Minister of Agriculture aware that, although the valuation price at the time was paid, yet these farmers were unable to stock until some months later, when the valuation price was utterly inadequate to enable them to start business again?

Mr. SMITH

We are fully aware of the time that will have to elapse before they can re-stock their farms, but I may say, in reply to the last question, that we have information that they are re-stocking at a price within that for which they were compensated.