HC Deb 18 July 1938 vol 338 cc1794-5
40. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the many difficulties which the arable farmers in this country are facing; and can he give particulars of any further legislation the Government propose to introduce in the near future to remedy this situation?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I am aware of the special problems of arable farming in this country. As the hon. Member will be aware, a number of Measures designed to meet these problems have been introduced in recent years. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 14th and 27th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) and my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte) and Chelmsford (Major Macnamara), to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Day

Is it not a fact that many of the arable farmers are practically destitute?

Mr. Morrison

I should not like to express general agreement or disagreement with that statement, but the hon. Member will be aware that a large number of Measures of particular assistance to arable farmers in this country have been passed by the present Government.

Captain Sir Derrick Gunston

Is it not a fact that every Measure introduced to help agriculture has been opposed in the Division Lobby by the hon. Member who asked the question?