Agriculture (Price Review)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 March 1958.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr John Hare Mr John Hare , Sudbury and Woodbridge 12:00, 20 March 1958

May I first answer the question about whether there is reason in my hopes that the farmers will maintain their income over the coming year. I base my hopes on this. It has been accepted that increased efficiency in the commodities which are covered by the Review under the 1947 Act is at least £25 million a year. In addition, experience has shown that increased efficiency for the rest of the industry for crops not covered by the guarantees amounts to another £5 million. That makes a total of £30 million. We are reducing the subsidies and guarantees by £19 million. Taking into consideration further costs that may come into this year—we reckon that they would be in the neighbourhood of £10 million—my addition, therefore, works out as follows: £30 million for increased efficiency and £29 million for extra costs. That looks to me as though the farmers, with any luck, will be able to retain their income this year.