§ 22. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what practical steps he will take to increase and to encourage the consumption of lamb and mutton, in view of the advantages to British agriculture of a large sheep population.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe Government have already taken practical steps, by giving substantial encouragement to increased supplies from home production. It is for producers and the trade to help consumers to appreciate the merits of their products.
§ Mr. MillsIs not this a very serious matter for the housewife, particularly as mutton and lamb is reasonably priced? It is also very serious for British agriculture. Will my hon. Friend therefore do all he can to interest the consumer in mutton and lamb, so that the sheep population may increase?
§ Mr. StodartIt is highly important for the good husbandry of the country to get more sheep on the land again. The efforts made by the Welsh and Scottish quality lamb associations are going on the right lines on consumption. I will undertake to do all we reasonably can to draw attention to the fact that lamb is, in my view, delicious, and a jolly good buy.
§ Mr. MaclennanCan the Minister say whether the mid-year returns indicate what sort of response there has been from the sheep rearers to the changes in the Price Review?
§ Mr. StodartThe hon. Gentleman may perhaps have noticed that at the opening lamb sale in the borders of Scotland last Thursday the average price was up by £1.70, and I am glad to say that mine was up by £2.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes my hon. Friend agree that one of the best ways to encourage the sheep and lamb population is by seeing that there are more flocks in the hills—by encouraging hill farming, and getting more sheep up there?
§ Mr. StodartI am sure that my hon. Friend is not drifting into what I thought was the wrong thinking of the right hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. Cledwyn 1251 Hughes). It is no good having sheep only on the hills : there must be a good outlet for them on the low ground.