§ 64. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the hardship likely to be caused to the small dairy farmers in Ayrshire as a result of the subsidy on milk not having been sufficiently increased in the recent Price Review; and what plans he has in mind to assuage their anxiety.
§ Mr. J. StuartWhile the recent increase of ½d. per gallon in the level of the milk price guarantee may involve some reduction in profitability, it would not necessarily involve hardship. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Government are considering whether any practicable method can be devised for providing more effective longer-term assurances to agriculture, including the small dairy farmer.
§ 66. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Ayrshire farmers on milk prices; what representations he has received from them; and what estimate he has made of the effect which his Price Review will have upon milk production in Ayrshire and Scotland, respectively.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have had no separate discussions with Ayrshire farmers on milk prices, nor have I had any direct representations from them, though I have seen reports of views expressed by them. There is still a slight upward tendency in milk128W production both in Ayrshire and in Scotland as a whole which, at the time of the Review, appeared likely to continue this year. It is too early to say what the effect of the Review determination regarding milk will be.