§ 64. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of lime subsidy which his Department has paid on shell lime taken from the coast of Cornwall in each of the past five years; and the tonnage involved.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 21st July, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ 65. Mr. D. Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent he has consulted with the Cornwall Agricultural Executive Committee about the effect of the proposed Draft Rules and Orders, 107312 and 10713, 1947.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsConsultations took place between my technical officer who deals with lime matters in Cornwall and officers of the Cornwall Agricultural Executive Committee about the effect of these draft orders.
§ Mr. MarshallDid not the Minister's advisers inform him that the effect would be of great consequence to agricultural production in Cornwall? Was not that the advice?
§ Mr. WilliamsNo, my representatives did not give any advice. Such advice was tendered by the representatives of the National Farmers' Union.
§ Commander AgnewIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the view is widely held by the Cornish farmers that the restrictions contained in these draft Orders have been introduced by a Minister without due regard to the needs of agriculture, while his own Ministry has stood by idly without making a protest?
§ Mr. WilliamsThe hon. and gallant Member is quite wrong, since a public inquiry was held by an inspector from the Ministry of Health, when one of my officers was present, and I am satisfied, as a result of the inquiry, that this is not likely to injure agricultural production.