HC Deb 10 November 1949 vol 469 cc1389-90
45. Mr. David Renton

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the need for economy, and in order to ensure greater co-ordination of the interests of consumers and producers, he will combine the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Food to form one Ministry.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

No, Sir; I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 12th April last.

Mr. Renton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that circumstances have changed slightly since 12th April last, and does he agree that a merger of these two Ministries would enable a substantial saving in administrative costs to be made as well as greatly to improve the co-ordination of the interests of consumers and producers? If he does agree on those two points will the Prime Minister say why he declines to alter his previous decision?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member is repeating a supplementary question which has been answered on many occasions. I do not think that the interests of consumers and producers would necessarily best be served by an amalgamated Ministry. I am not so sure whether that would bring about any great economy in staff and expenses. I am not persuaded at present that there would be any advantage in doing what the hon. Member suggests.

Mr. Collins

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the particular case of horticulture is given any consideration on the question of whether some transfer of functions from one Ministry to another might not be usefully made?

The Prime Minister

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Scollan

Has my right hon. Friend considered the practicability of giving fisheries a Ministry of its own as it is obviously too big a matter to be part of a Ministry dealing also with agriculture?

Mr. Renton

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Ministry of Food is already concerned with the interests both of consumers—wholly, we hope—and producers—to a mild extent—and is he aware that there has been confusion between the functions of the Ministry of Food when they are concerned with production and the functions of the Ministry of Agriculture? Will the right hon. Gentleman try to ensure a better co-ordination of the work of these two Ministries in that respect in future?

The Prime Minister

That was the fourth supplementary question asked last April.