§ 55. Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Agriculture in what respect British agriculturists are inefficient as compared to the general standard of farming before the war.
Mr. HudsonI have never seen it suggested that British agriculturists are In- efficient as compared with the general standard of farming before the war. The efficiency of the industry has increased remarkably since the outbreak of war, but that does not mean that in agriculture as in other industries there is not still room for improvement.
§ Mr. GranvilleIs the right hon. Gentle- man aware that this is the effect of the speech which the Minister made at Tonbridge, and will he not agree with me that the agriculturists and farmers of this country have made an efficient job of food production for the war effort?
Mr. HudsonPerhaps my hon. Friend, and other hon. Members, will take the trouble to read exactly what I said, and not a few sentences taken out of the con- text.
§ Sir Joseph LambIs it not a fact that the Minister was misreported in many quarters?
Mr. HudsonI do not think it is fair to the Press to say I was misreported, but certain sentences were taken out of their context.