§ 86. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now outline the future arrangements for the marketing of cereals, milk, eggs, potatoes and fat stock with price guarantees; and if he will define the responsibilities that will fall on producers' marketing boards.
§ Sir T. DugdaleIn association with the interests concerned the Government are working on arrangements for the marketing of the main farm products and the continuance of guarantees to home producers under the Agriculture Act, 1947, to become effective when the Ministry of Food is no longer the purchaser. No time will be lost in making decisions, but many complicated problems have to be solved and time is needed for detailed discussions with the producers and traders concerned. As regards cereals I hope to make an announcement next month setting out the arrangements for the 1954 crops, and further statements will follow.
Producers' marketing boards can help to meet the requirements of efficient and economical marketing of some products. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 13th November last, each case would need to be considered on its merits.