HC Deb 09 November 1967 vol 753 cc178-9W
Mr. Garrett

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any changes are proposed in the calculation of cereal yields for the purposes of cereal deficiency payments as set out in the 1964 Annual Review White Paper, Command Paper No. 2315.

Mr. Peart

Yes. As laid down in the White Paper the three-year weighted average of yields used each year in relating wheat and barley production to the standard quantities and in converting the deficiency payments on barley and oats to an acreage basis has included up to now an estimate of yield for the year in question made in November of that year. Starting with the cereal year 1967–68 it has been decided, after consultation with the Farmers' Unions, to substitute for the November estimate a definitive estimate arrived at in the following July after the end of the cereal year. This will not delay the final payments to cereal growers.