47. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to give some estimate of the production figures on the farms throughout the country for the year 1947; and how this estimate compares with the peak period production for 1943–44 and the production figures for 1939.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNo, Sir, I am not prepared to make such an estimate until the agricultural census for June, 1947, is complete and the current harvest further advanced.
Mr. De la BèreSurely, the right hon. Gentleman knows one elementary fact, which is that these production figures are substantially down from the peak period of 1943, and that there is no sign at all of a drive for agricultural production? Further, is it not a fact that the Government have neglected their responsibilities in this matter?
§ Mr. WilliamsOne thing I am sure about is that my predecessor in office, perhaps on the inspiration of the hon. Gentleman entered into the realm of prophecy in 1943 and 1944, and that immediately he made his prophecies, that year's production suffered from a spell of bad weather and all his prognostications went wrong.