HC Deb 01 March 1937 vol 321 c13
25. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to balance agriculture so that farmers may devote their attention to large -scale production of wheat, beef, etc., instead of encroaching on market gardener's business?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

The agricultural policy of the Government is designed to improve the position of the industry as a whole. In particular, the production of wheat and beef is being assisted by the Wheat Act and the Cattle Subsidy. Since 1931 the area under wheat in Great Britain has increased by 44 per cent. and the home production of beef by nearly 20 per cent.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he agrees with the question on the fact that agriculture is unbalanced?

Mr. Morrison

I am never quite certain what people mean by the unbalanced state of agriculture. It is a term to which people apply different meanings.