HL Deb 13 December 1967 vol 287 cc1112-3

2.34 p.m.

LORD SALTOUN

My Lords, on behalf of my noble kinsman, Lord Fraser of Lonsdale, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in his name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in order to help the balance of payments, they will embark upon a policy which will greatly increase the productivity of British farms.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the 1965 Selective Expansion Programme emphasised the contribution the agricultural industry can make to import saving and the national economy through expansion of production based on increased productivity. The Government are now considering the implications for agriculture of the new situation, and my right honourable friend has announced already that at the 1968 Annual Review the Government will recognise the need to increase the guaranteed price for wheat, to provide a wider differential between wheat and barley, and to review the standard quantity provisions.

LORD SALTOUN

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that Answer. May I ask him this further question? I understand that the Government are anxious to get ploughed up and used for agriculture land which was normally used for cattle. May I ask him whether it is feasible to do that, in view of the difficulties of labour and the fact that once one ploughs up permanent pasture one destroys something which it takes many years to restore to its former condition?

LORD BESWICK

Yes, my Lords. I believe the noble Lord is thinking of the emergency provision of £10 per acre ploughing subsidy to those farmers who have suffered the loss of their herd through foot-and-mouth disease. This, of course, is a temporary provision which has been widely welcomed by those unfortunate farmers who have lost their livestock.

LORD BALERNO

My Lords, can the noble Lord give an assurance that the Government will expedite the proceedings in the Annual Review and that they will start in January?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, as my right honourable friend has already said, if necessary the Review will be brought forward. Preliminary discussions are already taking place.