Expansion Programme

HC Deb 22 March 1967 vol 743 cc1693-4

14. Mr. Derek Page

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the past two years in the agricultural expansion programme.

Mr. Peart

This is set out in the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees 1967 White Paper (Cmnd. 3229) published last week.

Mr. Page

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if progress is to be stimulated farmers need assurance about their future incomes as far as possible, and there is concern about what their incomes will be if we go into the Common Market? Will he, therefore, take steps to inquire what farm incomes are in the Common Market countries, which is something that we do not know at present?

Mr. Peart

The latter question is completely different from the Question on the Order Paper. I shall be delighted to answer my hon. Friend if he puts down another Question. I have answered the original Question. The White Paper is there. My Review determinations are designed to that effect.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Reverting to the original Question, can the right hon. Gentleman say how far short of his expectations production has fallen as a result of the stagnation to which he himself referred last Sunday on television?

Mr. Peart

If the hon. Gentleman has read the White Paper, he will see that I stated frankly there that in the dairy sector the herd has not expanded. I said also that because of the working of the flexible guarantee system over a period we have had a severe cut-back in pig production and, therefore, the Review was designed to stimulate it. I was frank with the House, and it is in the White Paper.

Mr. Godber

If it is in the White Paper, will the right hon. Gentleman explain why he did not refer his hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Derek Page) to paragraph 11, in which it can be seen clearly that the correct answer to the question was, "None, Sir"?

Mr. Peart

The right hon. Gentleman is trying to spread his usual woe and dismay. I am surprised at him.

Mr. Manuel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his rational and enlightened approach to agricultural problems commends itself to hon. Members on this side of the House and to the vast majority of people in the country?

Mr. Peart

I thank my hon. Friend, but I think that the House must be aware that hon. Members opposite are so politically prejudiced that they will not accept that this is a good Review.