§ 59. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, while the cost of feeding-stuffs has more than doubled since January, 1949, and wages and overheads have also risen, the price of eggs has only risen about 5 per cent.; and what action he is taking to prevent a decline in home egg production.
§ 60 and 61. Mr. Robert Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what steps he is taking to arrest the decline in our cattle population;
(2) what steps he is taking to increase sheep breeding in Great Britain to the pre-war figure of over 26,000,000 sheep and lambs.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI am well aware of the importance of those various aspects of home food production. The percentages quoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Macpherson) are approximately correct. I am studying with care the whole problem of prospective agricultural production, in consultation with my colleagues responsible for agriculture in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject, either in regard to particular commodities or in general.
§ Mr. MacphersonCan the Minister say when he will be able to make such a statement? Will it be before the House rises?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI very much doubt it.
§ Mr. Richard AdamsCan the Minister tell us why he made no reference in his reply to consulting his co-ordinator?
§ Sir T. DugdaleIt does not arise out of this Question.
§ Brigadier R. MedlicottIs the Minister aware of the widespread concern in the agricultural community at the increase in feedingstuff prices over the last three years, and will he do all he can to try to arrest that increase?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI am very well aware of the point which my hon. and gallant Friend has brought to my attention.
§ Mr. A. C. ManuelIs the Minister aware of the widespread concern among the agricultural community arising from the return of the Tory Government, and will he, as soon as possible, make a statement to allay the fears of a change of policy by the present Government?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman that that is the reaction throughout the countryside.
§ Mr. Archer BaldwinIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that, if that was the feeling in the country districts, they did not record it at the General Election?
§ Mr. CrouchMay I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if he is aware that, during the last 12 months, there has been a fall of 2 per cent. in the number of dairy cows in milk and one of 4 per cent. in dry cows; and that, until we have more stability in the industry, there will be a very great milk shortage in the next 12 months? Is he also aware that, whereas six years after the first war we were only one million sheep short as compared with 1914, we are now seven million sheep short as compared with 1939, and that the former result was achieved under a Conservative Minister of Agriculture?
§ Sir T. DugdaleI can assure my hon. Friend that all these matters are under very active consideration.