§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Food why his appointed buyers, to whom farmers are compelled to sell their produce, are allowed to fix the price at which the farmer must sell to them; and 83W whether he is satisfied that this arrangement does not hamper food production.
§ Mr. StracheyThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. In no case do appointed buyers fix the prices at which farmers must sell to them. The price-fixing procedure for the main farm products is as laid down in the Agriculture Act, 1947. Prices for these products are fixed by His Majesty's Government after price reviews carried out by the agricultural departments, in consultation with the Treasury and my Department and with the farmers' organisations.