§ 4. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations about farm rents were drawn to his attention in 1969; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. BuchanNo representations on farm rents were made to my right hon. Friend in 1969.
§ Mr. EadieDoes not my hon. Friend agree that farmers are concerned about all types of increase that they may have to meet? Is he aware that when I met farmers in my constituency recently they informed me that they had rejected Mark III of the Tory agriculture policy? They want controlled marketing and guaranteed prices.
§ Mr. BuchanYes, I am well aware of that. We saw the burial of Conservative farming policy in South Ayrshire only two weeks ago. I have sympathy for the hon. Member who suffered that bereavement. It will be of interest to hon. Members to know that during the last three 384 years the average annual increase in rents has been 4.6 per cent., whereas in the last three years of government by the Conservatives the annual increase was 7.7 per cent.