HC Deb 10 July 1952 vol 503 cc109-10W
72. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture how soon he proposes to introduce legislation which will give to horticulturalists the same protection and assurance of priority in the home market as is given to farmers in regard to the main agricultural products by the Agriculture Act, 1947.

Sir T. Dugdale

Because horticultural produce is highly perishable and subject to very short-term fluctuations in supply, it is not possible to give it those guarantees of prices and assurances of markets which are provided for some products under the Agriculture Act. The National Farmers' Unions' applications for revised tariffs on horticultural produce are now under consideration by the Board of Trade.