§ 28. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for giving incentives to farmers to make forward contracts.
§ Mr. SoamesForward contracting is already practised to a considerable extent by pig producers. It may well be that there is scope for forward contracting playing a greater part in agricultural marketing. The extent to which it may or may not be advisable for the Government to give incentives to this must be a matter for the Annual Review.
§ Mr. DaviesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that agricultural circles interested in the Question will also be very interested in the Minister's reply? 841 I hope that he will explore the possibilities here because it seems to some of us—indeed, to anyone who understands agriculture—that this might be an incentive worth studying and introducing.
§ Mr. SoamesYes. The hon. Member knows that we give much thought to such matters. We are constantly thinking of ways by which the marketing of our produce can be improved.