§ 48. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister what action has been taken to implement his undertaking, given on 1st August last, that as soon as the conclusions of the Imperial Conference are known the Government will undertake whatever practical steps can be devised to put cereal growing in this country on an economic foundation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not at present in a position to make any statement.
§ Viscount WOLMERCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the farmers what to do when the Government have been quite unable to make up their mind how to carry out their pledges?
§ Mr. BUTLERDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless we have some legislation to help cereal farmers the position will be extremely serious for those workers who are being turned off and for whom there is no provision in the arable districts, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider that something must be done at once?
§ Viscount WOLMERCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when he will be likely to fulfil this pledge?
§ 77. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to indicate the remedies which the Government propose for the protection of arable farmers against the competition of wheat imported from abroad and sold in this country at uneconomic prices under the direct or indirect subsidies in the countries of origin?
§ 78. Mr. BUTLERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now announce the policy of the Government for cereal farming?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given by the Prime 358 Minister to a question (No. 48) put by the Noble Lord the Member for Alder shot (Viscount Wolmer).
§ Mr. BUTLERSince we are unable to get any reply to the question from the Prime Minister, can the Minister of Agriculture say whether he considers the delay which the Government have exhibited is consistent with the serious position of the cereal areas of this country?
§ Dr. ADDISONOur delay is wholly reasonable, and our action compares most favourably with the five years inactivity of the last Government.
§ Viscount WOLMERHave the Government any intention at all of fulfilling their pledge?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes. We do not make pledges without intending to carry them out.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESIn considering this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that cheap corn imported from abroad is of the greatest advantage to the poultry farmers and stock breeders of this country
§ Dr. ADDISONWe shall certainly not lose sight of that very important consideration.
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIs the Minister aware that this delay will mean the discharge of large numbers of workers in arable areas?
§ Mr. BUTLERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many workers have already been discharged?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am well aware of the seriousness of the position.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWhen will the Minister of Agriculture be in a position to make a statement?