HC Deb 29 January 1942 vol 377 cc919-20
51. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the long-term agricultural policy which the Government have under consideration, he will now give an assurance that they will adopt, as a definite basis for the development of this long-term policy, that the home producers of the United Kingdom should be allowed to produce the maximum output from the land that they have done during the war for a stated period of years after the war, with a guaranteed home market, both as to quantity and price, with a view to enabling, at a later date, the allocation to the importing countries to be determined?

Mr. Hudson

I am unable to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 11th September.

Mr. De la Bère

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that nothing can be done to secure the future of the agricultural producer until the point which has been raised in this Question is settled? Surely there is no need for such delay over this matter. No real attempt Las been made to tackle the long-term problem, and the country is getting more and more aware of it.

Mr. Hudson

A large number of considerations are involved in a long-term policy, and we are in that endeavouring to tackle the problem.

Mr. De la Bère

This is the first thing that should be tackled, and there is no reason why there should be further delay. I shall raise this matter over and over again.