31. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce some comprehensive plan for dealing with an increase of home-grown foodstuffs in this country?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I am not in a position to make any further statement on agricultural policy at present.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not high time that the Government formulated a long-term policy for agriculture in order to assist the production of home-grown foodstuffs; and do they think that, having done nothing, they are expected to do nothing at all?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe hon. Member asks so many questions garnished with so many derogatory epithets, that he will not expect me to agree with him.
32. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture what assistance and encouragement are being given to the home farmers to produce food as economically as their foreign competitors?
§ Mr. MorrisonA comprehensive service of education and technical advice is provided for farmers in this country with the object of securing the use of the most efficient methods of production. I am sending my hon. Friend two leaflets giving full particulars.
Mr. De la BèreMay I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the leaflets, but I would much rather having some Government policy than a few leaflets sent to me.