45. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will now consider merging the Ministry of Food with the Ministry of Agriculture, 914 with a view to ensuring better co-ordination, and securing the home market for the home producer and encouraging and developing output.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)Nothing has occurred to change the views I have expressed on this matter on several previous occasions.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Prime Minister aware that for four and a half years the home producers in this country have been handicapped by the action of the Ministry of Food, and is it not very desirable that home production should be allowed to expand properly, which it cannot do while the Minister of Agriculture is dominated by the Minister of Food?
§ The Prime MinisterI thoroughly disagree with the hon. Gentleman. During the last four and a half years the home producers in this country have had a better deal than they have ever had before.