HC Deb 24 January 1968 vol 757 cc401-3
18. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase the standard quantity for pigs, in view of the need to expand home food production as a result of devaluation.

31. Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his consultations with the agricultural industry on their expansionist rôle following devaluation.

45. Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will increase the targets of his selective expansion programme, in view of the need for greater import saving, consequent on devaluation.

56. Mr. Brewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the contribution to import saving that can be made by the hill-farming industry.

Mr. John Mackie

The contribution of the agricultural industry to the national economy in the new situation following devaluation is one of the important questions which we shall be discussing with the Farmers' Unions at the Annual Review, and I cannot say more until we have done so.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

If the Minister is genuinely serious about increasing home food production—and some of the replies this afternoon give rise to many doubts about that—would not it be right to raise or even abolish the standard quantity for pigs, so that the present welcome rise in the pig herd can be maintained in the national interest?

Mr. Mackie

The hon. Gentleman should look at the figures before asking a question like that. At present farmers must have 1,200,000 pigs before they go off the plateau of the middle band. Let us get that 1,200,000 and then we shall look at the standard quantity.

Mr. Prior

Is the Minister aware that the one factor which would give more confidence to agriculture than any other on grounds of expansion would be to get rid of the standard quantities?

Mr. Mackie

No, Sir. I do not think so. I do not want to bore the House with figures, but I ask the two hon. Gentlemen to compare our record on standard quantities and that of their Government in the years before.

Mr. Jopling

In view of the Prime Minister's devaluation broadcast will the Minister give an assurance that some of the selective expansion programme targets will be increased?

Mr. Mackie

We are naturally looking at that point very closely with the N.F.U. at present.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Does not the Minister agree that it must be nonsense to fine farmers for over-production of pig products when we are not even meeting our quota under the Anglo-Danish bacon agreement?

Mr. Mackie

The hon. Gentleman did not listen to my previous reply. Farmers have 1,200,000 pigs to produce before they are, as the hon. Gentleman says, fined by a reduction of the price under the flexible guarantee. As I said to the hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends, let us produce those 1,200,000 pigs first and then talk about it.