§ 2.41 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT BLEDISLOEMy Lords, I beg to ask the last Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will set to the farmers and farm workers of Great Britain a target (weather permitting) of increased food output for the next year, or, alternatively, for the next five years.]
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I will give a rather general answer to the noble Viscount. The present Government has not yet been long in office, and in agriculture, above all industries, sudden changes are disturbing and undesirable. In face of great difficulties, but with strong support of other sections of our economy—the engineering industry, for example—farmers have greatly increased their output since before the war. Farms are also very much better equipped, both with fixed equipment and with machinery, and there is a definite trend towards higher yields; the output per worker also has increased. All sections of the industry have contributed to the progress made. But for the very difficult conditions of the 1950 harvest, and of the preparations for the 1951 harvest, the output of the industry now would probably have been very close to the target set in 1947.
The agricultural returns for last June and September require very careful study, and we are, of course, undertaking this in preparation for the annual review of the economic condition and prospects of the industry which, as the noble Viscount knows, will be due early in the New Year. Whether it will be necessary to set particular targets, and, if so, for what particular commodities, and for how long ahead, I cannot say now. But the Government believe that considerable possibilities remain in a number of directions for a further increase in production without uneconomic commitments, and we are convinced that the industry will continue to make its full contribution to the nation's welfare.
§ VISCOUNT BLEDISLOEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, will the noble Lord take it from me that, in present conditions, all members of the agricultural 541 community will do their utmost, to the limit of their means—provided that they are given the tools, including fertilisers—to achieve the prescribed target, whatever that may be, and, if possible, to improve upon it?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I know that my right honourable friend the Minister, and the Government as a whole, will be very glad to have that assurance from the noble Viscount, who is so well-beloved and so deeply respected in the agricultural industry.