§ Q9. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to merge the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with the Department of Trade and Industry.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs the Prime Minister aware that neither competition nor shoping around has resulted in prices being reduced "at a stroke" as he promised? Instead of merging these Ministries will he take the opportunity to sack one or other, or both?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that both these Departments are necessary. In the reorganisation of the structure of Government one examined the relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the proposed Department of Trade and Industry—and other Governments have done this before—but it is right that they should both deal with their own spheres.
§ Mr. Evelyn KingIn view of the fact that during the lifetime of the previous Administration the retail price index rose by 35 per cent. would it not be seemly if, on this subject, hon. Gentlemen opposite were a little mute?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that that is very wise advice.
§ Mr. PeartIs the Prime Minister aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has declared openly and categorically that he wants to increase prices?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend has made his position clear—
§ The Prime Minister—and the right hon. Gentleman knows that it has been grossly exaggerated by his right hon. Friend on the Front Bench. Any change that is being made in the form of agricultural support is one which enables the British farmer to expand production—which is what the right hon. Gentleman failed to enable him to do when he was Minister of Agriculture—as well as enabling 1466 taxation to be reduced and social service benefits to be increased.
§ Sir D. RentonWill my right hon. Friend consider transferring to the Minister of Agriculture the responsibility for taking the detailed decisions about food imports so that the Minister can ensure that the policy for which he is responsible is coherently carried out on his own responsibility?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is an important question, and it is very largely tied up with the anti-dumping provisions. These are operated by the Department of Trade and Industry because they involve international trade agreements and practices, particularly under the G.A.T.T. We must also take into account the fact that when the present price support system is changed over to the levy system, it will be impossible to dump or to get under the levy, and this is one advantage of the new system.