Agriculture (Annual Farm Price Review)

Part of Civil Estimates, 1965–66 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 March 1965.

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Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire 12:00, 31 March 1965

The Ministers from the Agricultural Department know quite well that I can look after myself and that I do not need their assistance. When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland saw me rise, he said to himself that he could go away to his dinner knowing that his case was safe in my hands.

If the Opposition had been returned to power, they would have had to face the same financial crisis and balance of payments problem. They would have had the £ "groggy", and what would they have done? We were told last week in the early hours of one morning that Ulster wanted an aircraft carrier costing £60 million which, with the aircraft, would total £200 million. These are the sort of bills which mount up under a Conservative Government. There would not have been any money left for the farmers or for the equipment of British agriculture. So I say that, in spite of the disgruntlement of farmers in my constituency who looked for better things, I shall be supported when I say that the only possible alternative for me is to go into the Government Lobby against this ridiculous Conservative Motion.