§ 49. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Food whether, when fixing 180 the prices of fruit grown in the West Kent area, he will take into consideration the losses suffered by these farmers last year and other circumstances of which he has been informed and this year fix prices for their fruit which will give them an adequate return on the labour and capital involved.
§ Colonel LlewellinI do not agree that the prices fixed last season were too low. Officers of my Department and of the Agricultural Departments are meeting growers' representatives this week to see whether the prices fixed for this season need to be altered on account of the recent frosts.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn view of the sudden disastrous change in the situation caused by the frost and the threat to the livelihood of hundreds of farmers and smallholders, will the Minister attend a meeting upstairs with me at 1.45?
§ Colonel LlewellinI think we have made proper arrangements. We have got the proper negotiating people coming up to discuss the matter with officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and my Department on Friday.