§ 8. Mr. Mackintoshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the 1968 and the expected 1969 cereal harvests and the 1969 lambing season indicate that in cereals and in mutton the expansion programme outlined by the Government is being achieved.
§ Mr. John MackieBad weather has given an initial setback to cereals and lamb production in some areas, but it is far too soon to make any valid assessment of progress towards the objectives.
§ Mr. MackintoshIf my hon. Friend finds that these objectives are not being achieved, would he consider, for instance, the 1947 Act procedure for giving a deficiency payment on lambs and sheep as at December of last year, rather than on the depleted flocks which have been left as a result of deaths in the lambing crop in the early spring?
§ Mr. MackieAs I said to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill) earlier, we want to get a proper assessment of the harvest and lamb crops and everything else. As there is a scarcity of lambs, the price will normally be high. But we want to be in a position to assess the position properly and not go in for guesswork, of which there is a lot at the present time.
§ Mr. StodartDoes the hon. Gentleman recollect that he suggested that I exaggerated when I said in the debate a fortnight ago that some lamb crops were down to 20 per cent.? Has he any figures now to suggest that that estimate was not right? If not, why not?
§ Mr. MackieAs the hon. Gentleman knows, his assessments were of flocks in Scotland, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland would be in a better position to reply to that Question.