49. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he expects to be able to announce a long-term policy for the cattle industry before the end of June; and, if not, whether he will 385 ask Parliament to approve an extension of the existing subsidy for a further period of four months?
§ 51. Captain MCEWENasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make any statement now regarding the progress of the negotiations connected with a long-term policy for the livestock industry?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt is proposed to invite Parliament to approve before the end of June a resolution extending the provisions for the payment of a cattle subsidy under the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Acts, 1934 and 1935, until the end of October. I am not yet in a position to indicate the date of my statement on long-term policy for the cattle industry.
Duchess of ATHOLLMay I thank my right hon. Friend for his assurance in regard to the continuance of the subsidy which will do something to allay the anxieties of men who, in carrying on the live stock industry, are faced with great difficulties.
§ Captain MCEWENCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the recent visit of two Argentina diplomats to the South Wales coalfields may not be taken as foreshadowing an agreement with the Argentine Government on a coal basis at the expense of the live stock industry of this country?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI hope that there will be an agreement with the Argentine, but I do not think there is any reason to anticipate that it will be on a basis un-favourable to the interests of agriculture.