HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 cc21-2
39. Mr. De la Bé re

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the uncertainties created by the dual control of the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food, he will take steps to give one man the power to deal with the whole food position, together with the authority to make reservations of the necessary man-power for developing the maximum output of food from the farms?

Mr. Attlee

No uncertainty arises as to the respective functions of the Minister of Agriculture, who is responsible for home food production up to the point at which the produce leaves the farm, and the Minister of Food, who is responsible for the control of all food supplies both home produced, after they leave the farm, as well as imported. Matters with regard to the reservation of man-power in all industries, including agriculture, are decided by the Government. In the cases of agricultural man-power, the views of the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Agriculture are, of course, taken into consideration.

Mr. De la Bé re

Is my right hon. Friend aware of what the Minister of Agriculture told us last week? Did he not say that spring is always important, and this year it is a matter of life and death? Why not give one man the power to see the whole thing through, instead of having this interminable muddle which goes on month after month?

Mr. Attlee

There is no muddle. There are very many important things going on all the time, and you do not solve them by giving them all into the hands of one man.

Mr. De la Bé re

In view of the great muddle that is going on, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.