§ 8. Mr. DevlinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent correspondence he has received from farmers in the northern region.
§ Mr. RyderWe receive substantial correspondence from farmers in the northern region on a wide variety of issues.
§ Mr. DevlinThe Minister will be aware from recent correspondence that, although many farmers in the northern region have had a good harvest, they have not had a good financial year? I ask him, on behalf of the farmers in my region, what advice he has to offer them? Is he asking them to get out of agriculture altogether, should they diversify, or just soldier on regardless?
§ Mr. RyderWe shall, as always, be keeping a close watch on information about farm incomes that emerges from the annual review. Work is still being done on the figures. However, it is clear that although there is pressure in some sectors, others, such as the dairy sector and farms in less-favoured areas, both of particular relevance to the north, appear to have had a better year. I am convinced that the policies we are pursuing are the best way to ensure a viable and stable farming industry in the north.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonIs the Minister aware that the proximity of the northern region to Scotland will be making farmers and farm workers in the north of England aware of the burdens that will result from the imposition of the poll tax on employees whose employers at present pay their rates for them? Will he seek to avoid the distress and difficulties that are presently being created for farm workers in Scotland by immediately asking the English Agricultural Wages Board to take steps to avoid that problem being created for farm workers in England and Wales in a year's time?
§ Mr. RyderI welcome the hon. Gentleman back to the Labour Front Bench. Under the community charge, if an employer wishes to pay the community charge of an 868 employee he is still entitled to do so. It is not for me to interfere with matters that are looked after by the Agricultural Wages Board.