§ 24. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is yet in a position to make a statement concerning the future of the Hill Cow Farming Subsidy after 1963.
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir, but I have very much in mind the importance of making an announcement as soon as possible so that hill farmers may know how they will stand after 1963.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, may I ask him to bear in mind how very important it is—in view of his recent Answer to Questions about beef —that beef producers on hill and marginal land should know as soon as passible what their future is to be, and that we hope they will be given an assurance that their future will be satisfactory?
§ Mr. SoamesI agree with my hon. Friend, but the present powers will continue until November, 1963.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the Minister bear in mind that mast of the farmers sitting behind him are in principle against subsidies to private enterprise?