§ Sir D. Hackingasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in accordance with the pledge given in 1940, he will give figures to prove that the increased prices chargeable for agricultural produce bear a close relationship to the unavoidable increase in the cost of production since that time?
Mr. HudsonFull account has been taken, on each occasion since 1940 when prices of agricultural produce have been reviewed, of changes in costs of production, and I am quite satisfied that prices have been maintained at a general level sufficient to provide farmers with a reasonable return for their work and enterprise, after meeting costs of production.