HC Deb 07 April 1965 vol 710 cc483-4
35. Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the price of milk to the producer; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ross

Yes, Sir. I am confident that the recent increase in the guaranteed price, together with the improvement in the producer's return in the last year or two, will ensure continuance of supplies and a satisfactory level of income to the reasonably efficient producer.

Mr. Monro

Is the Minister aware that the increase of .6d. per gallon is grossly inadequate? Is he further aware that Scottish farmers feel that he has failed to represent their interests?

Mr. Ross

As the hon. Member knows quite well, I met the Scottish farmers at their annual general meeting in Dunblane, and although we did not entirely agree, I do not think that the farmers themselves would agree with the point the hon. Member has put. We have to anticipate that in the first year we have been the Government we have given an increase of 1d., and that over 12 years prior to last year, if the hon. Gentleman's arithmetic is good, what was given by right hon. Gentlemen opposite was an increase of 2d. Bearing in mind that it was 2d. over 12 years, 1d. in our first few months is not bad.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Is the Secretary of State aware of the general dissatisfaction among farmers? Is he also aware that the rate at which they are leaving the dairy industry is unlikely to be halted? Does he consider that there will be sufficient calves from the dairy herds to rear for beef in the future, in view of the meat shortage?

Mr. Ross

Yes, we are satisfied that that will be so. If people have left the dairy industry, it is not because of anything the present Government have done. The years of the squeeze, and the harsh years of the early part of that, drove them out. Our job now is to keep the balance right.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

Is the Secretary of State aware that his Answer showing complacent satisfaction seems significantly out of tune with that of his own farming constituents in Kilmarnock, if the newspaper reports are correct? We do not want to see him devoting so much time to his duties at St. Andrew's House or in Whitehall that he cannot keep in touch with the feelings of his own constituents.

Mr. Ross

I do not require any lectures from the hon. Gentleman about keeping in touch with my constituents. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman has noticed it, but the majority in Kilmarnock in 1945 was 7,000. Today it is 14,000.

Mr. Stodart

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is quite wrong in implying that there was no incease in the last 13 years prior to last year? Does he mean that he is satisfied with the income of the average dairy farmer in Scotland, where the herd is larger than it is in England, since last Monday the increase in National Insurance contributions took effect, followed by a wage increase two days ago, followed by the increase in commercial vehicle tax yesterday?

Mr. Ross

Apart from yesterday's news, the hon. Gentleman should know that costs which are already known in advance are taken into account in the Review. He should also know that the producer's return over the last two years showed an increase of about 10 per cent. He himself has not been very objective in his discussion of this Review.

Mr. Monro

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.