HC Deb 03 May 1967 vol 746 cc524-6
24. Mr. Loveys

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he will take to co-ordinate home production with imported supplies of beef.

Mr. Peart

I cannot usefully add to the Reply I gave on 22nd March to the hon. Member and others, as the discussions I referred to then are still continuing.— [Vol. 743, c. 1686–8.]

Mr. Loveys

When will the Minister be able to give a definite assurance that action is to be taken to prevent the over-supply of our markets which occurred last autumn? Would not he agree that much of this over-supply is caused, not only by the Anglo-Irish agreement, about which we heard earlier, but by the fact that we are outside the Common Market area and therefore are adversely affected by the levies imposed in the market?

Mr. Peart

The hon. Gentleman talks about the co-ordination of home production and imported supplies. He would not wish me to comment about the operation of the levy; this question affects mainly exports going into the Community. We keep continuously in touch with our traditional suppliers. We have what is called a Meat Study Group. We bear in mind the supplies to our market and try to make an assessment. The situation is, I think, satisfactory.

Mr. Peter Mills

Surely the right hon. Gentleman must agree that since the Socialists have been in power there has been no co-ordination between home suppliers and overseas suppliers and that only a system of control of imports and levies will solve the problem.

Mr. Peart

I have followed broadly the traditional policy which was pursued by my predecessors in this respect. The hon. Member's criticism bears no relation to the facts. It is not true at all.

Mr. Stodart

Is not the Minister getting himself into acute difficulty through saying one thing to New Zealand and quite the reverse to English farmers?

Mr. Peart

The hon. Gentleman knows that that is absolutely untrue. I have said to our New Zealand friends—and I say "friends"—that I believe that in the future development of our home production and the completion of the selective expansion programme the British farmer shall have the greatest share. On the other hand, we must bear in mind traditional agreements. Right hon. Members opposite like me to break them.

Mr. Bence

In the interests of the housewives of this country, would my right hon. Friend ensure that there is reasonable competition within home production so that we can stop any possible rise in the cost of living?

Mr. Peart

As my hon. Friend knows, apart from being Minister of Agriculture, I am also Minister of Food and therefore I must bear in mind the needs of consumers.