§ 14. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that prices received by growers for lettuce are not sufficient to cover the cost of carriage to market and that in many parts of the country the crop is being ploughed in; what advice his Department tendered to horticulturists with 968 regard to the extent of the acreage which it was advisable to plant; and if he will announce his plans for an improvement in the methods of distribution.
Mr. AmoryI am aware that large supplies are available as the result of better growing conditions following a dry spell and that some growers are having difficulty in disposing of their crop. My Department does not advise growers on the acreage to be planted. As regards methods of distribution, we must await the report of the Runciman Committee before deciding what improvements, if any, are desirable.
§ Mr. CollinsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be a good thing if his Department gave advice to growers on such matters as this? Can he give any idea when he hopes that the Runciman Committee will be reporting to him?
Mr. AmoryIn reply to the first part of the question, I am bound to say that I have not formed that conclusion. I do not think it would be at all a good thing for my Department to attempt to make forecasts of the individual acreages of products which it would be commercially advantageous for growers to put in. I cannot say when the Report will be available, but Lord Runciman told me the other day that very considerable progress has been made. Considering the magnitude of the task, I do not think there is any reason to expect that there will be any unreasonable delay.