§ 48. Mr. GRANVILLEasked the Prime Minister if he will grant a whole day for the discussion of the Government's promised agricultural policy at an early date?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI regret that the time at our disposal does not allow of this.
Commander Sir BOLTON EYRES MONSELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and I have been in consultation, and that a tentative arrangement was come to but has broken down through no fault of the Parliamentary Secretary? In view of the statement of the Minister of Agriculture that he wishes at an early opportunity to discuss the policy of the Government, would the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his answer, and give us an early day for a Debate on this subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs nobody knows better than the late Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, it is always a very difficult thing for a Government, with the best will in the world, to arrange to get time for the necessary business in a short Session. That is quite honestly the position in which I am at the present moment, and it is because, after a very careful survey of the prospects of business, that feeling was reinforced in my mind, that I gave the answer which I have just given.
§ Viscount WOLMERIf the right horn. Gentleman is unable to allow time for the Minister of Agriculture to announce 1240 his policy, would not the Government publish their agricultural policy in a White Paper?
§ The PRIME MINISTERExperience of White Papers in recent years has not been very happy, but the Noble Lord knows perfectly well, as an old Member of this House, that when Departments announce their policy, it has been, except under very exceptional circumstances, when the Vote for the Department was under discussion.
§ Viscount WOLMERDoes that mean that we are not to have a statement on the Government's agricultural policy until next year?
§ Mr. BEN RILEYIs it not a fact that the policy of the late Government was not announced until late?
§ Mr. E. BROWNWill the Prime Minister consider that a discussion on the Vote for the Ministry of Agriculture would not serve, because we cannot then discuss legislation, but only administration?