§ 70. Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now state, for the guidance of farmers in 1940, whether he requires an increase of acreage under potatoes or wheat, or an increase in milk, beef or mutton?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to send detailed guidance to county war agricultural executive committees in the very near future. I may say, however, that as regards potatoes and cereals an increase of acreage is required, and as regards milk, beef and mutton, as my right hon. Friend has already announced, the Government place milk production in the forefront of their livestock programme.
§ Colonel CarverIs my hon. Friend aware that owing to the entirely un-remunerative growing price of potatoes—£5 per ton—many farmers will feel compelled to grow corn next year in place of potatoes?