HC Deb 15 March 1972 vol 833 cc521-2
15. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding this year's Agricultural Price Review.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Only from the Scottish Milk Marketing Board.

Mr. Strang

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a certain amount of grass roots resentment at the slashing cuts made in fertiliser subsidy? Does he feel that the review is sufficiently generous to farmers to enable farmworkers to obtain substantial increases in their wages?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The hon. Gentleman will recognise that this review has been accepted by the office bearers of the Scottish N.F.U. as a basis on which the industry can make progress. I believe it has been generally welcomed.

As for the hon. Gentleman's remarks about fertiliser subsidy, I believe that this factor has been more than compensated by what has been put on to end prices.

I remind the hon. Gentleman that this is the best review since 1948 in terms of over-recoupment of costs. Wages are a matter for the Agricultural Wages Board.

24. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what expansion of the dairying industry he expects as a result of the Price Review.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am confident that the increase in the milk guarantee, together with the increase for beef, will provide the industry with the necessary resources for expansion.

Mr. Brewis

Was the prevalence of mastitis taken into account in the Price Review? As my hon. Friend is busy eradicating brucellosis, should not something be done about mastitis, which, is causing such serious losses of production in Scottish dairy herds?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I do not think that the specific disease of mastitis was taken into account in the review but it is certainly a disease which causes a lot of trouble in the dairy industry. It is in the interests of individual herd-owners to eradicate the disease. If they do, it is to their financial benefit.

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