Lords AmendmentIn line 2, leave out from "provide" to the second "of" in line 3, and insert:
for securing farmers against any substantial fall in the price.
§ 11.38 p.m.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."
It was pointed out in another place that the object of Part II of the Bill with regard to barley and oats is not to pay a subsidy in all circumstances. Indeed no subsidy is payable at the present price. The intention of the Amendment is to provide an assurance against a fall in price of a serious nature, and the Amendment more accurately describes the purpose of this part of the Bill.
§ 11.39 p.m.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderWe are not going to keep the House about this form of words because they do not in any way alter the effect of the Bill. One is really amused by the way this matter was dealt with in another place. It was moved by a noble Lord who is most likely a landowner and possibly a farmer; and this is what he said.
§ Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Captain Bourne)The right hon. Gentleman must not quote from debates in another place.
§ Mr. AlexanderApparently the reason why the Amendment was put in was a psychological one. Farmers are said to be very sensitive about being exposed in any way to the suggestion that they are almost mendicants for charity from the State or are receiving any grant from State funds. All I can say is that this Bill, partly in regard to Part II and certainly in regard to other parts, makes provision under which the Treasury is authorised to pay more money to the farmers to prevent them making losses, and I should have thought that it would have been much better if the Bill had retained its original title. It does authorise the Treasury in certain circumstances to pay a subsidy. However, the new form of words may suit the tender skins of farmers who have been able to get from the Treasury something like £30,000,000, and so, I suppose, we need not ask the House to divide upon it. But we have not failed to take note of what happened in another place.
§ Subsequent Lords Amendment to page 9, line 27, agreed to.