§ 41. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister the terms of the telegram sent to him recently by the Ayrshire Committee of the National Farmers' Union calling for the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; what reasons were given for this demand; and what was the nature of his reply.
§ The Prime MinisterI can find no trace of such a telegram having been received.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that that must be the fault of the Postmaster-General, because it was reported in the Scottish Farmer, a Conservative paper, that this telegram was sent? Is he aware that farmers in Scotland are so disgusted with his policy that even the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart), one of his supporters, has described the Government's policy on sheep as "disastrously myopic"? What would his Arran ancestors think about that?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not know whether the sheep or the shepherd are said to be myopic. I thought the hon. Member was too old a hand to believe everything he reads in newspapers. What I suppose happened was that they thought better of it, and did not send the telegram.
§ Mr. HaymanMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on the tape an hour ago it was stated that there was a "New Prime Minister at Downing Street" under the heading "Prime Minister at Memorial Service"?