HL Deb 19 December 1960 vol 227 cc716-7

3.53 p.m.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, may I, with your Lordships' permission, move that the House do resume, so that I may make a statement?

Moved, That the House do now resume.—(Earl Waldegrave.)

On Question, Motion agreed to, and House resumed accordingly.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, with your Lordships' permission I should like to make a statement similar to an Answer which is being given by my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in another place, about the talks with the National Farmers' Union on a long-term policy for agriculture. I will use the words of my right honourable friend.

"The talks with the leaders of the Farmers' Unions were intended to clarify some of the problems confronting the industry. They have resulted in a much clearer understanding between the two sides and a substantial measure of agreement has been reached. Both sides have found the talks most valuable, and I should like to pay a special tribute to the skill and vigour with which Mr. Woolley and his colleagues have represented the interests of the agricultural industry. A full report on the talks is being published in a White Paper, copies of which are now being made available in the Printed Paper Office. The talks have taken place in a constructive spirit and discussion on some of the topics which require further examination will be resumed after the 1961 Price Review."

LORD WISE

My Lords, the statement which has just been made by the noble Earl is really an announcement on meetings which have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and representatives of the National Farmers' Union, and refers to a White Paper which, 15 minutes ago, was not in publication. I feel, therefore, that it would be out of place to raise any point on the statement at this moment. But the White Paper will be carefully studied by those of us on this side of the House who are interested in farming, and we may wish to raise points at a later date.

THE DUKE OF ATHOLL

My Lords, could the noble Earl tell us whether the White Paper has been agreed with the National Farmers' Union?

EARL, WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, this is an agreed report on the talks. We have clarified many of the issues and removed a good deal of misunderstanding; and I would emphasise that the report is an agreed one.