HC Deb 06 December 1956 vol 561 cc1430-1
20. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to improve the deficiency payments scheme for barley.

Mr. Amory

I am considering the possibility of simplifying the method of calculating the rate of deficiency payment for barley.

Mr. Willey

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that at the moment there is a major need to encourage the production of home-grown feeding stuffs. In the light of that, will he consider altering the present system of payment to see that special encouragement is given to the production of feeding barley?

Mr. Amory

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. It is part of the Government's policy to encourage the efficient production of home-grown feeding stuffs. My anxiety is not to change the method until I am sure that we have found a still better one. Undoubtedly a defect of the present system is that it is complicated.