§ 12 Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Minisster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now authorise the Northern Ireland Government to pay from the funds which they hold the deficiency payment due to farmers who have registered as potato growers in the 1960 season.
§ 13. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make payments to the Ulster potato growers for the 1960 crop on the lines suggested by the Ulster Farmers' Union.
§ Mr. John MackieThe United Kingdom Agricultural Ministers are now re-examining this long-standing question of the disposal of the 1960 potato deficiency money. A decision will be reached as soon as possible.
§ Mr. ClarkMay I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to remember the importance of making a decision on this point before the farmers draw up their crop plan for next year? Is he aware that this has caused a great deal of doubt among potato growers in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. MackieAs a potato grower I can tell the hon. Member that I have sympathy with the thought that there is money due to potato growers at a future date. This has been a longstanding grievance from 1960 and in considering it, notice will be taken of the point made by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the hon Gentleman realise that these growers feel a strong sense of grievance about this matter? Will he consider that very carefully? Is he also aware that hon. Members who represent constituencies in Ulster have been pressing his Department for a long time about this and that they will continue to do so until there is some satisfactory result?
§ Mr. MackieIf I remember rightly, the hon. and learned Gentleman had very close access to the powers that be in the last Parliament. If he could not 445 do it in four years, he cannot expect us to do it in a month. I will bear in mind what he has said.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkCan the hon. Member say what would be the average benefit to each grower if this payment were obtained?
§ Mr. MackieI could not do so without notice.