§ 44. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the importance of using surplus milk for the production of milk-fed veal, he will inquire into the possibility of a scheme by which farmers may receive payment for meat in monthly instalments on the lines of the present practice of the Milk Marketing Board in respect of milk.
Mr. GodlierMy right hon. Friend recognises the importance of using surplus milk for veal production and for rearing calves for beef. So far as concerns schemes for advance payments on fat cattle, two small pilot co-operative ones are being launched under the auspices of the Agricultural Central Cooperative Association, and I believe that larger-scale arrangements operated on behalf of farmers are under consideration by a national organisation. But such 29 arrangements must be related to total returns, which come mainly of course from the market, rather than to subsidy payments. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that advance payments on guarantees alone are impracticable and that further inquiry into their possibilities would not he justified.
§ Mr. de FreitasSurely the Minister should have another look at this? Does he not want to encourage the small farmer to go into meat production, and is it not impossible for the small farmer to do so, in view of the little capital he has, unless there is some scheme of regular payments, even if they are small?
§ Mr. GodberI can certainly see the point the hon. Member makes, but there is nothing we can do about it. It may be possible for an organisation like the F.M.C. to give help, but I do not see that we can enter into that.