HC Deb 10 December 1969 vol 793 cc423-5
19. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total estimated yield of the cereal crop for 1969 in weight for each separate cereal.

Mr. Hoy

The provisional estimate of the 1969 United Kingdom cereal crop is 13.8 million tons, made up of 3.4 million tons of wheat, 8.8 million tons of barley, 1.3 million tons of oats, 0.2 million tons of mixed corn, and 11,000 tons of rye.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Is the Minister aware that many farmers suffered very badly this year because of adverse conditions in the early sowing season? Is he prepared to look at the situation again to see whether anything can be done to help those farmers whose yields are very badly down, particularly in comparison with the national average?

Mr. Hoy

We are glad that the crop turned out to be about 1 million tons higher than last year. Frankly, I cannot promise that we can go into the question again. If anybody knows the difficulties involved it is the hon. Member, who had to administer this scheme when he filled the office which I at present hold.

Mr. Dalyell

In view of the frequent demands already made in this Session by hon. Members opposite for more of the taxpayers' money, has my hon. Friend made cost assessments of some of these demands, particularly as they are made by a party which proposes to cut taxation?

Mr. Hoy

They are made so frequently that it would take a considerable time to add them all up, but I agree with my hon. Friend this continued demand for money does not seem to go with promises made at the same time of cuts in taxation.

21. Mr. Ashton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the effect of wet weather on farmers' yields in Nottinghamshire; and what action he will take.

Mr. John Mackie

Although we appreciate that some individual farmers have had a lean year, yields in Nottinghamshire as a whole, of the principal crops, are likely to be only slightly less than last year, except for wheat where we expect a small increase.

In the circumstances, the Government consider that the 1970 Annual Review will provide the proper opportunity to take account of the whole agricultural situation in the context of our expansion objectives.

Mr. Ashton

While I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, does he not accept that it is rather at variance with what is being said by farmers in the area? Will he not pay particular attention in the farm prices review to their views and opinions?

Mr. Mackie

I know that when one has a bad year—and some of my hon. Friend's constituents have—one is not inclined to believe the overall figure. But the system of estimating these yields has been the same over the years, and we must take them as being fairly accurate. I appreciate that in the Nottingham area and in the Trent Valley many farmers had very low yields.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that while the Price Review must take account of the national picture, that will not help my constituents or those of the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton), who have suffered particularly badly? Is there not something which could be done for those who have suffered great hardship?

Mr. Mackie

It has been a principle over many years that farmers take weather risks. I know only too well that we have had two years of very bad weather. But to do what the hon. Member suggests would be to breach the principle; he knows the difficulties as well as I do.