§ 57. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to maintain farm incomes in the face of the lower prices for farm produce.
§ Mr. PeartI am making some adjustments to the beef guarantee, but I am satisfied that the support arrangements in general assure the industry the necessary stability.
§ Mr. GrimondI welcome this reply, together with the benefits the right hon. Gentleman has suggested. But is he aware that in many sorts of farm produce, including, for example, store lambs and now beef, prices, if they have moved at all, have probably moved downwards in recent times? In view of the constant increase in farming costs, the position is very serious.
§ Mr. PeartI discussed this matter on a previous Question when the right hon. Gentleman was not present. At the last annual price review, we increased the guarantee for this purpose in order to give stability.