HC Deb 24 February 1947 vol 433 cc237-8W
59. Mr. Joynson - Hicks

asked the Minister of Agriculture what immediate steps he is taking in view of the national position disclosed in the statement on the economic considerations affecting relations between employers and workers, Cmd. 7018, to enhance agricultural production in 1947.

Mr. T. Williams

The main opportunity to enhance agricultural production in this country is by the revival of livestock and particularly pigs and poultry. The Government's plans in this respect were set out in my reply to my hon. Friend' the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge) on 17th February. The cropping programme for the 1947 harvest was settled and communicated to county war agricultural executive committees and to farmers last year. Some crops are now sown and farmers have already made arrangements for spring sowings. Measures for promoting improvements in the efficiency and productivity of the agricultural industry are embodied in the Agriculture Bill, to which I would refer the hon. Member.