HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 cc840-1
28. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for giving incentives to farmers to make forward contracts.

Mr. Soames

Forward 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. Davies

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that agricultural circles interested in the Question will also be very interested in the Minister's reply? 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. Soames

Yes. 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.

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