§ Mr. Peter MillsI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the failure of the Minister to give adequate reasons to the House for the breakdown of negotiations in Brussels on the farm price review for 1977.The House is entitled to a better explanation from the Minister. Those who represent consumers are also entitled to a better explanation of the reasons for his failure to agree on this matter—particularly as it would mean only about ¼p in the pound on the cost of living. It is also important to those who represent producers that they should have a better explanation from the Minister.The matter is urgent. Time is not on our side. I do not believe that the Minister realises the importance to the confidence of the home producer of getting a speedy decision in these matters. Sowing and ploughing do not wait for Government decisions. The farmer wants to know where he is. He wants a definite price and programme in front of him.
The matter is also important because much is at stake. The future of British agriculture is at stake and the track record of this Government is not encouraging. Last year, production fell by 10 per cent. Therefore, these matters are important not only to the producer but in the long term to the consumer. That is the problem: the Government are considering these matters in the short term, not the long term.
The matter is important also not only because of the future of production but because of the importance of a much clearer picture for certain sections of British agriculture, which in the long run will affect the consumer. The pig industry has been frittered away by this Government, for example.
This matter is important also because of the effect of the devaluation of the green pound in Ireland but not in this country. We need a much fuller explanation of this.
422 I am sorry for the short notice I gave, Mr. Speaker, but I believe that these things are important. They are certainly specific. I hope that you will consider my application seriously.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Devon, West (Mr. Mills) is well within his rights in acting as he has done when a matter arises out of a Minister's reply. He had no need to apologise for the shortness of notice.
The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the failure of the Minister to give adequate reasons to the House for the breakdown of negotiations in Brussels on the farm price review for 1977.I listened carefully to the exchanges in the House this afternoon. What I have to decide is whether an emergency debate should take precedence over the ordinary business set down. The House knows that, under Standing Order No. 9, I have to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision. I have to rule that the hon. Member's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.