§ 50. Captain Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is yet in a position to declare the new farm pro duce prices to compensate for the substantial rise in the cost of production owing to the recent wage increase and other causes?
§ 53. Colonel Burtonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the measures of price regulation of agricultural products to meet the Odra farming costs which have ensued upon the fixation of agricultural workers' wages and other rises in expenditure on production?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)My right hon. Friend regrets 1586 that he is not yet in a position to make an announcement.
§ Sir I. FraserWill the hon. Gentleman indicate to the War Cabinet that any hesitation on the part of the Government to implement promises to the farming community will cause very great apprehension not only this season but for the future?
§ Mr. WilliamsThe hon. and gallant Gentleman must not take a friendly examination of a highly complex problem as inevitably meaning that there is a conflict betwen the Minister and the Government.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not a tact that the cause of the delay is the Treasury? Why do they not get on with the job?
§ Mr. MacLarenIs there any truth in the report that there is a deadlock between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food over prices?
§ Mr. WilliamsNone whatever.