53. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with a view to the creation of confidence for the future amongst the growers and the farming industry generally, he will, in co-operation with the Opposition, give an assurance for at least two harvests after termination of the present hostilities, so that the 814 agriculturalist should receive such prices for his produce as would enable him to earn a reasonable profit and pay a fair rate of wages to his employés?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithMy hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not possible to bind future Parliaments in advance, and I am not at present in a position to say more than that, in forming the present food-production policy, the Government have kept in mind, and will continue to do so in formulating further plans, the special need in the case of the farming industry for confidence in continuity of policy, inasmuch as the farming industry has to plan its production programme for several years ahead.
§ Mr. J. MorganSeeing that the Government have just assured New Zealand an outlet for their market produce next year, could they not guarantee the farmers here their markets for next year?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThat has already been done.
§ Mr. MorganCovering all fields? It is only on sugar beet, surely?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIt is on sugar beet that the arrangement has been come to.
§ Mr. MorganBut not potatoes, not wheat, not oats, not barley?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIf the hon. Member will put down a further question, I can give him a statement as to what has been done with regard to those.