§ 8. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce any Government measures for the assistance of oat-growers in the north-east of Scotland?
§ 9. Sir CHARLES BARCLAY-HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the difficulties which are being experienced by farmers in the north-east of Scotland; and whether it is the intention of the Government to come to their assistance by the granting of a subsidy or of other assistance to oat-growers?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe Government regret that as a result of prolonged examination of the problem they have reached the conclusion that in the present circumstances a scheme of direct financial assistance to oat-growers cannot be inaugurated. The Government's long-term meat policy which was announced by the Minister of Agriculture yesterday will, however, I am satisfied, prove of material assistance to farmers in oat-growing areas, and should contribute substantially to the improvement of conditions in the North-East of Scotland, particularly if, as the Government desires, provision is made for adjusting the cattle subsidy payments so as to give further encouragement to quality production.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYAs my right hon. Friend finds himself unable to deal with oats separately, will the Government examine the question of cereal production in this country as a whole? Does he not think that the Government might 998 consider the possibility of setting up something in the nature of a cereal pool to cover wheat, oats and barley, and the country as a whole?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI will certainly explore the whole cereal position in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSWill the Minister when dealing with subsidies consider putting these men under the means test, the same as our chaps?
§ Sir R. W. SMITHDo the Government realise that if the cereal position in Scotland is allowed to go from bad to worse, as has happened in the past, the result will be that a large number of farmers will not be producing the amount of food for the country that they ought to be?
§ Sir C. BARCLAY-HARVEYIn view of the extreme importance of oat-growing in that part of Scotland, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this unfortunate decision of the Government will have a most disastrous effect on agriculture there?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am afraid that my answer will be a disappointment to oat-growers in the North-East of Scotland, which I regret. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Aberdeen (Sir R. W. Smith), my answer to his question links up with what I have already said, that we will certainly explore the whole cereal problem in conjunction with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ Sir R. W. SMITHIn view of the meat situation, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise the position of beef producers? They will have to charge a higher price for their beef in order to make up for their losses on oats.