HC Deb 07 July 1965 vol 715 cc1575-6
18. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now estimates he will receive the report of the Wise Committee.

Mr. Peart

As the hon. Member knows, I am looking forward to receiving an interim report before the end of the year.

Mr. Ridsdale

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman publish even an interim report on this interim report so that he can deal with such vital problems as loans and amalgamations of county council smallholdings? Does not the Minister realise how hard the county council smallholdings have been hit by this Government since October?

Mr. Peart

I am anxious that this shall be a full report. The rôle of smallholdings is very important. There are many arguments here, and I should like to see a full report and study it carefully. That is why I do not wish to rush the Committee.

Sir D. Renton

Will the Minister think again about this matter? We have waited a long time for this report. Its findings are urgently required so that smallholding committees can formulate their policy afresh. It is not good enough to have to wait till the end of the year before we even get an interim report.

Mr. Peart

I hope the right hon. and learned Gentleman will realise that this is the first major review of smallholding policy since 1947 and it will benefit no one to hurry the Committee into reporting before it has given the subject all the consideration it deserves. I hope that hon. Members will be sensible and realistic.

Mr. Ridsdale

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