§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to intervene in the grain market this year in order to stabilise prices and minimise the subsidy bill; and whether he will introduce immediately a minimum import price for barley and wheat.
§ Mr. SoamesSince the necessary consultations with the Governments of our overseas suppliers, parallel to those which we are having with the farmers' and trade organisations here at home, were plainly going to need some time, there was never any question of putting our proposed new import arrangements into operation for this harvest. In the 1025 meantime we shall maintain close contact with our principal overseas suppliers, seeking their co-operation with us in maintaining a stable market.
§ Mr. HoosonIn view of the estimated yield in the barley crop of at least 6 million tons this year, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is necessary to intervene, or is he going to wait till next year before putting, so to speak, a bottom into the market?
§ Mr. SoamesWhen I made my statement to the House on 22nd May I said that we needed to go through a process of consultation. We are endeavouring to reach agreement with our overseas suppliers in order to bring this about. As I say, this will not be possible in time for this harvest. We hope to have it completed in time for the next harvest—that is the programme we have in mind—and in the meantime we are resting on the arrangements that we already have.
§ Mr. PriorWill my right hon. Friend do all he can to publicise the working party agreed prices so that farmers may make a big effort to get the working party price and not undercut their own market by selling at a lower price, thus adding to the subsidy bill in the coming year?
§ Mr. SoamesI am glad my hon. Friend has mentioned this. In fact, I put out a Press statement and made a speech on those lines early last week.