§ 37. Sir L. Plummerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make arrangements to keep open the recommissioned mills in view of the considerable assistance they afforded farmers during the 1956 harvest.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)In view of the need for economy we cannot extend the operation of a grain drying and storage service at public expense beyond the needs of the present harvest. We will consider in the light of this year's experience, and our own storage requirements, whether it will be possible to lease further silos for next year's harvest.
§ Sir L. PlummerWhen the Minister is considering this matter, will he at the same time consider that it might be worth while asking the farmers concerned to pay a levy of, say, 6d. an acre on their arable acreage towards the cost of running this very necessary service, which has been a great insurance during the present year's horrible harvest conditions? Secondly, in view of the fact that we may soon be rather short of food as a result of the Government's policy, ought we not to have these recommissioned mills open and ready for storage?
§ Mr. NugentThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is that farmers are themselves now installing their own drying and storage equipment widely and we could not justify reopening these storage facilities to give a contract service to them The answer to the second part of the question is that this storage and drying plant will be used to the best national advantage.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the hon. Gentleman recollect that many of us raised this problem with the Minister during the summer and the Minister then gave the same sort of reply, but later was proved disastrously wrong and reversed his policy. It would be far better if the Parliamentary Secretary gave my hon. Friend an assurance that the matter will be seriously treated before the Minister again runs into trouble.
§ Mr. NugentIt is being seriously treated, but we are satisfied that the rate at which private conditioning and storage plant is being installed should enable farmers to deal with the harvest next year.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that if these recommissioned mills are handed over to those who are solely responsible for imports and holding stockpiles, the result may be damaging to local farmers? Will he ensure that those who will be responsible for administering them next season will bear in mind this aspect concerning the local farmers?
§ Mr. NugentI will certainly bear my hon. and gallant Friend's comment in mind.