§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the apprehension excited in the agricultural community of this country by the proposed treaties with Holland and other countries, he will arrange for a statement of the Government's policy as to which of the articles of agricultural and horticultural produce it is proposed to make 1249 ourselves self-supporting and which to import in part from the Dominions and foreign countries?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)My hon. and gallant Friend will, I am sure, appreciate that it would not be practicable within the limits of question and answer to deal with the wide issues raised in the latter part of his question, but he can rest assured that in the commercial negotiations to which he refers a continuation of the general development of home agriculture which the Government has already done much to encourage will not be jeopardised.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEMay I ask the Prime Minister to bear in mind that a great deal of necessary increase in production is being held up on account of a want of knowledge of what the Government's policy is, and that if the Government will make a statement a great many people can be settled on the land?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith the first part of the Supplementary Question I profoundly disagree. As regards the second part the Government have these matters constantly in mind.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLMay I ask if it is the purpose of the Government to make this country self-supporting in agricultural products?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have covered that in my answer.