§ 77. Mr. Yorkasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that his new prices schedule does not cover the increased costs of the marginal farmer; and whether it is his intention to order priority crops to be grown on this land.
§ Mr. CollickAs my right hon. Friend has often stated in the House, the Government can give no guarantee of complete or automatic recoupment of increases in the costs cither of all farmers, or of particular classes of farmers such as marginal farmers. With regard to the second part of the Question, while a farmer may be directed to grow a crop 83W which will give him a smaller financial return than he might have secured with freedom of cropping, it is not the intention that he should be directed to grow a crop on land which is so unsuited to it that even with efficient cultivation he is likely to be involved in financial loss.