HC Deb 01 August 1930 vol 242 cc896-8
13. Mr. W. B. TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the plight of the producers of soft fruit, in Norfolk and elsewhere, in regard to uneconomic prices; and whether he will introduce legislation to guarantee an adequate price for all Home-grown produce, together with a living wage for the land worker?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)

I am aware that in many cases growers of soft fruit in this country have been receiving unremunerative prices for their produce. I am afraid I cannot undertake to implement legislation to guarantee an adequate price for all home-grown produce, but proposals designed to secure the improvement of the condition of agriculture, with particular reference to the needs of the land worker as well as the farmer, are being announced to-day.

Mr. TAYLOR

Would the right hon. Gentleman be willing to consent to consultations taking place between the Ministry and representatives of the industry in Norfolk with a view to discussing the marketing possibility?

Dr. ADDISON

I should be delighted to enter into any such consultation.

Commander Sir BOLTON EYRES MONSELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very heavy crop this year, and in some cases if this dumping continues the fruit will not be picked, and that is not economical?

Dr. ADDISON

I quite agree that there is a very heavy crop this year, but the unremunerative price is not due to dumping because the imports are less than they were last year. It is due to the fact that the growers are utterly disorganised, and do not get a fair price for their products.

Viscount ELMLEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a difference of 39s. per ton between the price which the growers get and the price which we have to pay?

Dr. ADDISON

Yes, that is the essential weakness of the whole situation with which we have to deal.

Mr. SMITHERS

If the right hon. Gentleman is going to call a conference of the Norfolk growers, will he also remember the Kent growers?

Dr. ADDISON

I do not want to deal with this matter piecemeal, and I shall be very glad to consult the growers.

Mr. A. SOMERVILLE

In reference to the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman that there is less dumping this year than last year does he include the amount delivered direct from the docks to the wholesale dealers?

Dr. ADDISON

I do not know what the hon. Member means by dumping, but I do not think there are any bounty-fed imports. If the hon. Member means imports, my information is that up to the present they are somewhat less than they were last year.

Sir J. LAMB

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see the ineffectiveness of dealing with different districts, and will he consult with the national representatives?

Dr. ADDISON

I do not know who the hon. Member means by national representatives.

Sir J. LAMB

I mean the farmers and the fruit growers.

Dr. ADDISON

I have already said so.

An Hon. Member

Is it not obvious that a smaller import will cause a very bad crisis because the quantity we grow at home will not be sufficient for our own use?

Dr. ADDISON

I am quite certain that the difficulty is not due to importation, but to the atrocious disparity between the price the producer gets and the price which the consumer pays.