§ 23. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will have an interim Price Review later this year to deal with the rise in costs.
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§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:There is provision for holding a special Review if circumstances require it.
§ 25. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to review the machinery on presentation of the Price Review.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:I am always prepared to look at constructive suggestions for improvements.
§ 29. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to him about increases in costs to farmers since the Price Review; and what is his estimate of the total additional cost to date.
§ 34. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much costs have increased for Review commodities since 19th March, 1970.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:I have received a number of representations about cost increases subsequent to those shown in the Annual Review White Paper. An estimate of these changes for guaranteed commodities in conventional Review terms would give a net increase of some £ 8 million in a full year. However, this estimate cannot be related directly to the value of the determinations at the 1970 Review; nor does it reflect the actual effect on farm incomes
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now refer the 1970 Price Review to the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:There is no question of referring to the Board the Government's determinations in the 1970 Review, which were made after a full examination of all the relevant data. The possibility of some general appraisal of trends and developments and certain other suggestions arising out of discussions with the presidents of the three unions are under consideration.