§ 23. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends to take to avoid a steep rise in the cost of winter feed, in view of the flooding, resulting in the loss of crops.
§ Mr. J. StuartThere are local shortages of hay which have resulted in higher prices, but this is unavoidable, and has happened before. Despite the bad harvest, however, the quantity of winter fodder on farms seems likely to be generally adequate, although the quality will often be low.
§ Mr. ManuelIs not the Secretary of State convinced, on the information that he has, that some controls are necessary to avoid a steep rise in the cost of winter feed? Is he aware that many tenant farmers are already having to get rid of store cattle because of their inability to feed them over the winter? Will he again examine this matter with a view to making certain that this difficulty, which 2577 has not been budgeted for by the farmers, will be covered? There has been a great loss of crops in certain areas in Scotland.
§ Mr. StuartThe hon. Member may recollect that the Minister of Agriculture made a statement on 16th December, in which he said that the Government had decided that where the failure to harvest the grain is not due to bad husbandry or negligence by the grower, the acreage claimed by the grower but not harvested as grain will be eligible for deficiency payment. This will be of material help in the problem.