HC Deb 27 May 1954 vol 528 cc607-8
53. Sir R. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture what incentive and assistance the Government will give to enable producers to reach the target indicated in paragraph 11 of the recent White Paper on the 1954 Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees, which states that expansion of net output to 60 per cent. above pre-war is still a major objective.

Sir T. Dugdale

Paragraph 42 of the White Paper suggests that the desired expansion should take the form of more beef, and perhaps more mutton and lamb; a steady improvement in crop yields; and a saving of feed imports partly by the improved management and use of grass and partly by skill and economy in the use of concentrated feedingstuffs. Increased crop yields and a saving on feedingstuffs should be directly to the farmers' advantage.

I expect the incentive to increased beef and mutton output to come primarily from the demand of the free market coupled with the level of guarantees for these commodities, and assisted by the calf-rearing, hill-cattle and livestock rearing subsidies. The Government's wide range of other production grants, particularly those for drainage, liming, fertilisers and ploughing-up, constitute, with the advisory services of my Department, further substantial incentives and assistance.

Sir R. De la Bère

Is anything being done to assist the poultry keepers, many of whom will not be able to survive?

Sir T. Dugdale

If my hon. Friend will study the White Paper and see the guaranteed price for eggs, he will realise that a very great deal has been done for poultry farmers.

Sir R. De la Bère

How long is it going on?

Mr. G. Brown

In the absence of any short-term or long-term policy, are not many subsidies just money down the drain?

Sir T. Dugdale

The Annual Review received complete agreement from the leaders of the farming industry.

Mr. Nabarro

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that an earnest of the success of the agricultural policy of Her Majesty's Government is the fact that in 1953 an all-time high record of 56 per cent. above pre-war production was achieved? Is he further aware that the viewpoint expressed by my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir R. De la Bère) is personal and is not that of the Conservative Party?