HC Deb 10 February 1966 vol 724 cc595-6
20. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if, in view of the substantial increase in rents charged to dairy farmers by landlords in Scotland which could result in an increase in costs, he will refer the increase to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Mr. George Brown

No, Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the Scottish Milk Marketing Board has recently published statistics about alarming increases of rent which have had to be paid by tenant farmers producing milk? Is he aware that this means that rents have gone up by 27s. an acre, £200 per farm and 1½ per gallon of milk? Does he not agree that if such rents send up the price of the gallon of milk this affects the cost of living? Should not he investigate this matter?

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that not only do I know of what was said by the Chairman of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board but that I have read what was said. There are many other considerations to be taken into account, and in any case changes in rents are one of the considerations discussed during the course of the Annual Farm Price Review.

Mr. Hughes

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