HC Deb 18 February 1960 vol 617 cc1410-1
27. Mr. Oram

asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what training courses, sponsored or aided by his Department, are available for farmers and smallholders wishing to study methods of co-operative production and marketing of agricultural crops.

Mr. Godber

My right hon. Friend is doing a good deal to promote co-operation in agriculture and horticulture, but does not sponsor or aid courses of training directly and has had no recommendation from the central bodies that it would be useful to do so.

Sir A. Hurd

Is not my hon. Friend working with the Agricultural Co-operative Association in this matter? Am I right in thinking that the Government give some financial support for this training work?

Mr. Godber

Certainly we give aid to the A.C.C.A. and other bodies concerned with co-operation generally for such things as they wish to put forward. The Question dealt with training courses, for which we have had no request.

Mr. Dance

Does not my hon. Friend agree that it is essential at this moment to get far better marketing arrangements for horticultural products?

Mr. Godber

Yes. Indeed, that is the purpose of the Horticulture Bill which is at present on its way through the House. That will he a very real help to growers generally in this very important matter.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Mason, Question No. 40.

Captain Pilkington

On a point of order. Is it not reprehensible for so many members of the Labour Party to fail to ask the Questions they put down for answer by the Minister of Agriculture today?

Mr. Speaker

One has no knowledge of the difficulties.