HC Deb 26 February 1969 vol 778 cc1689-90
2. Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of the Government regarding the future of guarantees for agricultural produce when the home industry reaches a level of self-sufficiency in each particular commodity, in the light of the recent decision relating to eggs.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Cledwyn Hughes)

The arrangements for each commodity are framed to meet its particular needs and circumstances, and the degree of self-sufficiency is only one of the factors which need to be taken into account. The plans which I have announced for eggs, therefore, create no precedent for other commodities.

Mr. Jopling

But does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that if the present system of support is to continue, the industry cannot expand with half-baked Answers like that? Does he realise that the industry has been dropped in at the deep end by his decision about eggs and that it does not know what is coming next if self-sufficiency is to be reached? We must have a straighter answer than that.

Mr. Hughes

That question shows that the hon. Gentleman has not understood the position. He must realise that the action taken on egg marketing is based on the report of the Reorganisation Commission, which was concerned exclusively with the problem of eggs. The question is, therefore, directly related to eggs.

Mr. Godber

But would the right hon. Gentleman explain, acknowledging that his decision was based on that Commission's Report, how he felt free to withdraw the guarantee for eggs when his party firmly committed itself at the last General Election to maintain the present system of agricultural support? Surely this is a break from that pledge.

Mr. Hughes

The right hon. Gentleman knows that the present Government have adhered to all the pledges which they made in the Election. Eggs in this context are sui generis. He has said that, generally, he agrees with the Government's action.