HC Deb 06 March 1951 vol 485 cc232-3
45. Mr. De la Bere

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing difficulties of co-ordination between the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Agriculture, he will now consider merging the two Departments to ensure smoother working and increased home food production.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

No, Sir. As I have informed the hon. Member on previous occasions, co-operation between the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is very close; and I am not aware of any difficulties of the kind to which he refers.

Mr. De la Bére

Is the Prime Minister aware that the actions of the Minister of Food and of the Ministry of Food are often diametrically opposed to the interests of what the Minister of Agriculture should be doing for the home producer, and could not the right hon. Gentleman put "No" in the reverse position and make it "on" so that we can get on to something worth while?