§ 53. Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be in a position to announce the long-term policy of His Majesty's Government for agriculture..
§ 60. Mr. Stubbsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the farm-workers' application to the Central Wages Board for a minimum wage of 90s. per week, which involves farmers' prices, he will now inform the House when the agricultural policy of the Government will be announced.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)I have nothing to add at present to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 15th October.
§ Mr. BoothbyDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that the agricultural industry has been waiting for a long-term policy now for three years and when does he think he will be able to announce it?
§ Mr. WilliamsCertainly it will not have to wait another three years.
§ Mr. StubbsDoes my right hon. Friend realise that delay in announcing the Government's agricultural policy is inter ferring with the men returning to the land and that the application now before the Wages Board is not likely to receive the consent of the farmers until they know what is the Government's policy?