HC Deb 10 December 1981 vol 14 cc977-8
11. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of farm incomes in Cumbria.

Mr. Peter Walker

Information about farm incomes for particular counties is not available. Income trends for various types of farming are analysed by broad regions, one of which is the North of England. The results of the latest analysis will be published in the new year.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Is the Secretary of State aware that many young farmers in the county of Cumbria are finding it difficult, because of high interest rates, the inflated cost of farmland and their low incomes, to acquire land to enable them to farm on their own account? Will he consider introducing a scheme to help those young farmers to enter an industy in which their interest obviously lies?

Mr. Walker

I am much in favour of encouraging young farmers in every way possible. When one considers the benefit to farmers, young and old, of the sheepmeat regime, the greatly improved hill farm subsidies and the suckler cow premium, one realises that the region to which the hon. Gentleman referred is doing better now than when we came into office.

Mrs. Kellett-Bowman

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when I addressed the Longtown branch of the Cumbria National Farmers Union on Friday evening, the group began grace with the words "Thank the Lord for a better farming year"? Is he further aware that it then said how grateful it was for the improved sheepmeat regime and the improved prices for beef, that it was glad about the stand that he had taken on milk, but that it hoped that he would get his skates on in improving the marginal land scheme?

Mr. Walker

I only hope that the dinner was as good as the grace. We have accelerated the survey on marginal land, and I hope that that will be completed and agreed to in Brussels in the near future.

Mr. Buchan

I believe that the farmers would be better off praying to Brussels than to the Lord. They have not had much help from that source recently. Is it not the case that the bonanza that so many farmers expected through their support for entry into the Common Market has not taken place? Is it not also a fact that what has taken place is such a distortion of husbandry in this country that there are wide gaps and drops in farm income, particularly in difficult areas? Is not the best answer to have a reduction in interest rates, to cheapen the price of feed costs for the farmers, and to return to a proper deficiency system so that we can protect the housewife at the same time?

Mr. Walker

We well know the hon. Gentleman's anti-European views, but to argue that in a period when Britain's self-sufficiency in its agricultural produce has increased so sharply since we became a member of the Common Market is remarkable. If he would care to address the farmers of Cumbria on the importance of getting rid of the sheepmeat regime and other European operations, he would not receive a very warm welcome.