HC Deb 03 April 1952 vol 498 cc1899-900

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

57. Mr. HURD

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, if, in view of the delay again this year in concluding the February review of farm prices, he will consider the desirability of arranging in future years that this annual review follows the Budget, making the price schedule effective from 1st June instead of 1st April.

Mr. T. Williams

On a point of order. May I ask whether or not the word "again" in the first line of this Question would not give a misleading impression, since on no other occasion have we failed to complete the February review before 1st April?

Mr. Hurd

Further to that point of order, I think that if the right hon. Gentleman were to refresh his memory he would find that the Question is perfectly correctly framed.

Mr. Speaker

I must point out that hon. Gentlemen who put down Questions on the Order Paper are themselves responsible for the accuracy of the expressions which they use.

Mr. Nugent

My right hon. and gallant Friend has no occasion to think that the reasons for this year's delay are likely to occur again? He will be glad to consider my hon. Friend's proposal. There are, of course, good arguments for the present arrangements.

Mr. I. Mikardo

Would it not, in fact, be better to follow precisely the opposite procedure to that described in the Question, namely, to ensure that the review was completed before the Budget, so that the Chancellor of the Exchequer could take into account, in framing his economic policies, the future rise in the cost of food, instead of relying upon a bogus figure, as he had to do on this occasion?

Mr. Nugent

My right hon. and gallant Friend will take note of that.

58. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give details of his discussions with the National Farmer's Union on the review of farm prices.

Mr. Nugent

Yes, Sir, in due course.

Mr. Lewis

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consult with his right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister and make the suggestion to him that, before he comes to any agreement, he should consider appointing an independent committee of inquiry, and, perhaps, including on that committee the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. S. N. Evans)?

Mr. Nugent

No, Sir.