HC Deb 13 March 1958 vol 584 cc592-3
27. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the First Report of the Council on Prices, Productivity and Incomes with reference to farmers' incomes.

Mr. John Hare

Although the Report is clearly intended to apply to all sectors of the economy, it makes no recommendations concerning farmers' incomes. The factual material that it contains is, of course, available from other sources.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Report points out that whereas under a Labour Government farmers' incomes rose, under a Conservative Government they have not risen? In view of this fact, does he realise the considerable interest in the Price Review announcement that he is about to make? Can he assure the House that this will be made before the Torrington polling day?

Mr. Hare

I cannot accept the implications in the hon. Member's supplementary question. Neither I nor any other Member of the Government is responsible for what was put into the Cohen Report.