§ 14. Mr. Whitlockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that agricultural subsidies are paid to farmers most in need of them; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that this is done.
§ Mr. SoamesThe purpose of our agricultural support system is to ensure that farmers get a fair and reasonable return for their product, and the guaranteed prices are settled at the Annual Review for the industry as a whole.
§ Mr. WhitlockIs it not a fact that the bulk of Exchequer support goes to the larger farmer who may not need it—to such well-known farmers as the 820 Prime Minister? Is there not a case for a differential subsidy to help the small man?
§ Mr. SoamesA number of innovations have been made by this Government specifically aimed at assisting the small farmer. What seems to underly the supplementary question is that the more efficient farmers are the less they should be paid for their product. Nothing would seem more likely to militate against the growing efficiency of British farmers.
§ Mr. RidleyDoes my right hon. Friend think that the execution of this proposal would involve a sort of means test as to who is the most efficient?
§ Mr. SoamesAs the question is framed, it seems that farmers should be paid according to their needs, which seems more akin to Public Assistance than to the 1947 Act.
§ Mr. PeartThe right hon. Gentleman has implied that larger farmers are more efficient than small farmers. Will he withdraw that accusation?
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir, the Question is not phrased in terms of large or small farmers. The Question asks about farmers who need the subsidy and farmers who do not. If it were worked out on that basis, and if that is what the hon. Member would like to see done in agriculture, perhaps he would say so.