§ 11. Mr. Barnettasked the Minister of Agriculture', Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from county branches of the National Farmers' Union about the Annual Farm Price Review and what action he proposes to take in consequence.
§ Mr. SoamesA number of county branches have passed resolutions about the recent Annual Farm Price Review. While noire have been sent to my officials, a number of hon. Members have written to me sending me the views they have received from their county branches and I am replying to their letters.
§ Mr. BarnettIs the Minister aware that these resolutions reflect very serious concern throughout the agricultural industry as a result of this Review, and that Bedfordshire and Dorset in particular have passed motions of no confidence in the Government's agricultural policy? Will he make available in the Library of the House of Commons a copy of the statement which, I believe, has been sent to him and which contains the views expressed by branches of the National Farmers' Union on this question?
§ Mr. SoamesI am, of course, aware that representations have been arranged. This is not the first Review at which 11 farmers have made representations, following its publication, that in their view there should have been a different outcome. This was a disagreed Review, and it is natural that this should be reflected in resolutions passed by certain countries. I see no reason for me to place in the Library anything of which the hon. Gentleman through his own sources seems to be fully aware.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the special problems of the dairy farmers in the South-West particularly affected by this Review?
§ Mr. SoamesOf course, this was a considerable feature of the discussions at the time of the Review. My hon. Friend will not have forgotten that in the outcome we increased the guaranteed price of milk by ½d., which together with the increased standard quantity put another £6 million into the dairy side of the industry. In contemplating whether that figure should or should not have been increased, one must bear in mind the supply and demand situation, the amount of milk which it is in the national interest that we should produce at home and the difficulties that have resulted through increased production bringing in its wake reduced prices to producers. We do not want to set up that spiral again.
§ Mr. PeartIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that farming opinion is that the small producer has suffered considerably as a result of Government policy? Is he not aware that right throughout the farming world, not just the official National Farmers' Union circles, there is great concern? What are the Government going to do for the small farmer? Are they going deliberately to squeeze him out?
§ Mr. SoamesWhen the hon Gentleman says "throughout the agricultural world" it is, of course, true, but this by no means applies only to this country—
§ Mr. Soames—but it is true throughout countries with developed farming where the increase in production has been rising faster than consumption. This Government have done a tremendous amount for the small farmers—
§ Mr. Soames—and the Government realise the immense value of the contribution they make to the national economy. I believe that our record vis-à-vis the small farmers can stand up against the record of any other Government.