29. Mr. De la Béreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider giving a year's trial to the emergency 900 plans already formulated by the Government to increase home-grown foodstuffs with a view to testing their practicability?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonNo, Sir. My hon. Friend's suggestion is not a practicable one.
Mr. De la BéreIs my right hon. Friend aware that increased home production is not a machine and you cannot press a button and that it takes "years to cultivate the soil and get a crop?"
§ Mr. MorrisonMy hon. Friend in his question suggests that the Government should now put into operation any plans they may have for the rapid expansion of production in time of war. I think he would find that that suggestion would not be received with any support by the farming community.
§ Mr. MorrisonI do not think my hon. Friend knows what the scheme is.
Mr. De la BéreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present rate of progress the farmer's boy will become as extinct as the Dodo?