§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many farmers who would grow crops, such as barley and oats, to feed their pigs, do not do so, because, under present circumstances, they can only feed their pigs at a loss; and whether he can guarantee a remunerative price for pigs in the near future?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe answer to the first part is in the negative. The prices fixed for barley and oats should be remunerative to the farmer of average efficiency, and the grower of barley has the opportunity of selling his crop in the free market for malting purposes at prices above the maximum for barley sold for feeding. Feeding of these crops to other kinds of livestock may also give a better return. The present prices for pigs came into operation only as recently as 30th September, and the Government is not contemplating any modification.
§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that under present circumstances the fixing of a minimum price for such crops as potatoes does not guarantee the growers a market at that price, and that in many cases offers of such prices as 70s. a ton are received by growers as against the minimum of 115s. for grade A and 95s. for grade B; and what steps he proposes to take to protect growers in such cases?
§ Mr. BoothbyI have been asked to reply. Under the Potato (1940 Crop) Control Order, 1940, it is illegal for a buyer of ware potatoes to pay the grower less than the prescribed minimum price for the particular variety of potatoes in the district in which they are grown. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases in which a price less than the appropriate minimum has been paid, I shall be glad to look into them.