§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that 43 county branches of the National Farmers' Union have passed resolutions protesting against the recent price review and that, in particular, the Executive Committee of the Somerset N.F.U. have endorsed a resolution calling for the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food "in the interests of all farmers in the country".]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)Yes, my Lords, I am aware of resolutions of this kind.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, will the noble Earl encourage his right honourable friend in resisting such demands, on the grounds that the whole Government are responsible for the present agricultural policy? Would he also take note of the analysis by the Oxford University Agricultural Research Group of expenditure on food, which shows that the entire increase in the United Kingdom consumption between 1950 and 1958 was represented by an increase in food imports? Would he have regard to that, as it may well be the cause of the farmers' quite righteous annoyance?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, although at all times I endeavour to encourage my right honourable friend, I do not think that he needs my encouragement in this particular matter. I do not think that the second supplementary question arises out of the Question on the Order Paper.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that practically all the farmers in the country have not protested for nothing, and that it should be his duty and that of his right honourable friend to find the basic cause? If all the increase in food consumption comes entirely from increased food imports, surely that is a matter which is relevant to the Question and one which the Government should investigate.
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, all that I think can properly and fairly be deduced from these resolutions is that they presumably reflect the opinions, which I do not necessarily share, of those who pass the resolutions.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, is it not a fact that the lavish guaranteed prices and subsidies have resulted in the price of agricultural land rising to extravagant and unprecedented heights? And are there not some taxpayers who are a little tired of having their pockets searched for this purpose?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, I know that the Rules of your Lordships' House are very wide, but to suggest that the alleged rise in the price of land can arise out of a Question about resolutions of branches of the National Farmers' Union is, I think, going a little too wide.