asked the Minister of Agriculture how far it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage producers to carry out schemes under the Agricultural Marketing Acts to develop more efficient and economical methods of marketing home produce if he is now prepared to approve those schemes which have been awaiting Government decision for more than two years; if he will advise producers that he is ready to consider further major schemes; and if he will favourably consider the restoration of powers to existing boards, such as the Milk Marketing Board, with due regard to the public interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will return their prewar marketing functions to the Agricultural Marketing Boards, particularly the Milk Marketing Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now say when he expects to be able to give his decision on the marketing scheme for home-grown threshed peas, which has been before his Department for some time.

It is most certainly the policy of the Government to encourage the promotion of schemes under the Agricultural Marketing Acts that are designed, with proper safeguards for the public interest, to develop more efficient and economical methods of marketing home produce. The three draft marketing schemes submitted to my predecessor and the question of the restoration of powers to existing boards raise policy problems of great importance and some complexity, which I regret to say are taking a long time to solve.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a welcome move forward? Now that the main line of policy has been settled, will he give us an assurance that he will lose no time in consulting his Ministerial colleagues and producers' organisations in order to clear up such points of detail as still remain to be resolved?

Certainly. I think that in the light of what I have said that is made abundantly clear to the House.

Is not the Minister aware that his statement in the recent debate was regarded by the industry as facing both ways in that he both supported the restoration of powers to the Milk Marketing Board and detailed a large number of objections to it? Is he aware that if the M.M.B. had these powers back under the safeguards of the 1949 Act it would be a very valuable adjunct to the livestock policy which both he and we desire? Will he therefore give urgent consideration to the restoration of the powers?

I am very glad to have the assurance of the right hon. Gentleman that we have his support. I assure him that I shall lose no time in trying to come to a final satisfactory solution of this problem.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of uneasiness among farmers about the failure to restore the powers of the Milk Marketing Board? Is he aware that for several years since the war they have been looking for the return of these powers and that, while they are not surprised that they were not restored under the last Government, they look to the present Government to restore them at the earliest possible opportunity?

I am well aware of what my hon. Friend says, but I cannot add to the answer I have already given.

In the case of the dried pea marketing scheme does my right hon. Friend appreciate that this is a very important article of protein food, that the acreage has expanded very greatly in recent years, that it is a very good crop from the point of view of the fertility of the land and that it is most desirable that through a marketing scheme stability of price should be provided because this is a commodity which is not covered by guarantees under the Agriculture Act, 1947?

Yes, Sir.

How many of the three schemes referred to have been awaiting Government decision for two years or more?

The draft marketing schemes for peas, for herbage seeds, and for apples and pears were submitted in March, 1950, May, 1950, and February, 1951.

asked the Minister of Agriculture on what international bodies concerned with foot-and-mouth disease Her Majesty's Government are represented.

The International Office of Epizootics, the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Is the Minister satisfied that these organisations are effective to combat the present outbreak in France, Britain and other European countries, and will he initiate joint discussions with the French Government to set up a European authority under F.A.O. to combat foot-and-mouth disease?

I am satisfied that these bodies are all very much alive to the problem facing them. I am also satisfied that in recent months they have been coming together and working along parallel lines on the same problem. In reply to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, I will look into that point and will continue to have it under review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that action similar to this was taken by the United States Government with Mexico when they formed a joint commission?

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is a special agricultural sub-committee of the Strasbourg Assembly considering European agriculture, to which we are submitting a memorandum? Will the Minister see that that committee receives a memorandum from him, and suggest to them that this is the sort of practical job which they can do, instead of the rather vague things they are doing at the moment?

I will certainly consider that proposal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what further recommendations to combat foot-and-mouth disease he has received from those international bodies on which Her Majesty's Government are represented.

No further recommendations have been received since I answered the hon. Member's previous Question on 3rd July, and I would refer him to the reply I then gave.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the county of Somerset have been reported to his Department during the last three months; and if he will now permit the free movement of livestock in that county.

None, Sir. Restrictions were imposed in Somerset and other counties in southern England as a precaution, in view of the risk of introduction of infection from the Continent. The position in France is still serious and the peak of infection in northern France appears to be moving westwards. Consequently, although the position is kept continuously under review, I do not think that the time has yet come to remove the restrictions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very considerable hardship and hindrance which this long protracted restriction is causing to many farmers in their production? Can he say when it will be possible for him to modify or lift the restrictions, at any rate over a limited area?

I cannot give any specific date, but I think my hon. Friend will agree that it may very well be that the maintenance of the controlled areas is an important reason why Somerset has kept clear. Throughout the country the farmers have co-operated in a wonderful way, and I only hope that they will complete the last lap and thus continue the great progress which has been made.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that he is not hustled into removing restrictions, in view of the potential danger of further outbreaks?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, under Section 12 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, owners of animals or those having charge of them in an area infected with foot-and-mouth disease, may put up a notice forbidding people to enter premises without permission; whether he is aware that these notices have been widely ignored in spite of his appeals; how many people have been prosecuted for ignoring these notices; and if he will introduce legislation to increase the maximum penalties that can be incurred by those not observing the existing law, and take power to close rights of way in infected areas.

I am not aware that the notices are being widely ignored and I have no information about the number of prosecutions, as they are undertaken by local authorities. The maximum penalty for disregarding such a notice is a fine of £50 for a first offence, which I consider to be adequate. Power already exists, under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restrictions) Order, 1938, to close any footpath or right-of-way in an infected area, and this power is exercised where necessary by my veterinary inspectors.

Is it the case that rights of way can be closed by law and that if they are closed there can be a prosecution if they are used by the public?

Yes. Local authorities and the police are responsible for enforcing these regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now announce the terms of reference and membership of the Departmental committee to be appointed to review the measures taken to combat foot-and-mouth disease in this country.

No, Sir, but I hope to do so in the fairly near future so that, if the present epidemic abates sufficiently, the committee will be ready to start work in the autumn.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that we may unhappily be faced with another invasion of infection from the Continent in the early autumn and that it is important that this Departmental committee should begin to gather information about the measures which ought to be taken?

If we are unfortunate enough to have another epidemic it is certainly not my intention to put off unduly the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Departmental committee which he proposes to set up to inquire into the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease will include representatives from Scotland.

It is my intention to consult with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on the selection of at least one member of this committee.

Is my right hon. Friend quite sure that one member is enough?

I propose to keep down the number of this committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give an estimate of the acreage of land not required for other purposes which is at present unused for food production and which could be cultivated.

I regret that there are no statistics of the amount of land that is not used for food production nor required for other purposes. We know the total area of land in the kingdom, and can subtract from that the total area of land that is under cultivation; but it is a very difficult matter to calculate and subtract also the area used for every other known purpose, and to say that the residuum is lying idle. Any such conclusion would be subject to a very wide margin of error.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am less interested in the arithmetic of this matter than in the cultivation of idle land? Will he do everything to encourage the use of such land, and, at the same time, consider boosting the use of allotments for the purpose of additional food production?

I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman that we must not waste land which could be used for growing food, but we must always remember to look at the economic side of this problem. I will look into the point he raised relating to allotments.

Although financial aspects cannot be entirely ignored, will the Minister be good enough to regard the cost as a secondary consideration in view of the need for food production in this country?

Will my right hon. Friend look particularly into the question of unused land in the possession of the Air Ministry, much of which is now only growing weeds?

I am in very close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air on this problem.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now able to announce the details of his proposed calf rearing subsidy plan; and whether colour marked heifers and calves sired by bulls of recognised beef types will be eligible for subsidy.

I hope to announce the main details of the proposed scheme, including the types of calves that will be eligible for subsidy, during tomorrow's debate on the Second Reading of the Agriculture (Calf Subsidies) Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the Agricultural Wages Board for Scotland has rejected a motion for wage increases of 5s. and 4s. per week for men and women workers, respectively, although the Board for England and Wales have recommended approval of the same increases; that similar rejections by the Scottish Board in the past have penalised land workers in Scotland; and if he will consult with the Secretary of State for Scotland with a view to the establishment of one wages board for all agricultural workers in Britain.

On a point of order and as a matter of interest. May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, why this Question was permitted to be addressed to the Minister of Agriculture instead of to the Secretary of State for Scotland? There is a Department of Agriculture in Scotland, and surely it is appropriate that this Question should have been addressed to him.

Perhaps the answer will show it.

The answer to the Question is: I am aware of the conclusions reached respectively by the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales and that for Scotland on recent applications for increased wages. These Boards have been given statutory powers by Parliament and neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland are in any way responsible for their decisions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Scotland is perfectly well able to look after herself in this matter and that the Scottish agricultural worker, than whom there is none better in the world, will certainly have a fair deal?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this has happened in the past it has had to be modified at a later stage, that it would be quite intolerable if increases in the wages of agricultural workers took place in England and not in Scotland, and that the farmers themselves would never dream of allowing such a situation to arise?

In view of the complications that can arise on a special price review, would not the right hon. Gentleman feel disposed to consult both the trade unions representing the agricultural workers to see whether or not the same machinery should not do the job for all?

I think the first consultation must be between myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Is the Minister aware that I was perfectly satisfied with his original answer and that I am only putting this supplementary because of the intervention of the hon. and gallant Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Colonel Gomme-Duncan)? Is he aware that in spite of what the hon. and gallant Member says, these conflicting decisions have caused agricultural workers in Scotland to lose faith in the present set-up of the wages board, and will he therefore keep in mind the advisability of legislation with a view to taking uniform action?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage in England and Wales was sown to rye in 1939, 1951 and 1952, respectively; and what amount was harvested in 1939 and 1951.

The areas harvested in 1939 and 1951 were respectively 12,900 acres and 50,400 acres, yielding 8,800 tons and 45,600 tons. Further areas of rye were sown in both years for green fodder. I regret that the figures for 1952 are not yet available, but I do not expect them to be materially different from 1951.

Would my right hon. Friend consider encouraging the growing of more rye on land especially suitable for growing that crop, but unsuitable for the growing of wheat, in view of its value as a bread grain, thereby saving imports?

Yes, Sir. As a matter of fact, discussions are proceeding between the National Farmers' Union and certain rye users with a view to increasing the production of that crop and thus, possibly, dispensing with imports.

Does not that answer give point to the request which I have made several times, that the right hon. Gentleman should really get down to a proper production policy for rye?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what flood prevention work has been completed on the River Irwell above Bury during the past three years; what schemes are at present in hand; and what further schemes are contemplated.

Works of dredging and channel improvement have been completed by the Mersey River Board at Summerseat, Ramsbottom, Strongstry, Edenfield, Rawtenstall and Stacksteads. Remedial works are now being done at Townsendfold where serious river bank erosion and shoaling was taking place; this includes a deflection wall designed as a result of model experiments.

Does the Minister anticipate that when this work is completed it will prevent any serious flooding?

I do not think that I of work in these matters. Has he any can go as far as that.

Will the Minister say how much he thinks the cut in investment for drainage purposes which he recently announced has restricted and delayed this important work?

That is an entirely different question. I have answered the Question on this particular problem.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the amount of agricultural land which has been taken for other purposes in recent years and the fact that this loss of food-producing land is continuing, he will set up a committee of inquiry to examine and report on the possibility and practicability of reclaiming the Wash from the sea.

Certain areas adjoining the Wash have already been reclaimed since the war by the owners concerned and further areas are now ripe for reclamation. I am considering what steps can be taken to promote further reclamation and see no advantage in appointing a committee of inquiry for this purpose.

Is the Minister aware that it has been estimated that in the last two years we have lost good agricultural land to the extent of the size of a small county, and that this process is continuing? A really large-scale scheme in regard to the Wash would add many hundreds of thousands of acres to the already good land of Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

From the research which I have made I think the figure which the hon. and gallant Gentleman gave is slightly high. I have had the advantage of visiting that area in recent years and I do not think it is true to say that we have lost large areas of land. In point of fact, the area won from the Wash in the past three years totals some 4,500 acres. But I agree that there is more to be done.

Would the right hon. Gentleman have discussions with the Chairman of the Nene Catchment Board about this? That Board have done a lot of work in these matters. Has he any idea of the extent and the ownership of the land that might be reclaimed?

I should not like to tie myself down to a figure, but I think that there is a considerable amount of land which is recoverable. It is a question of recovering it at the right moment. If one recovers it too soon one does not get the greatest benefit from it and if one leaves it for too long one also fails to get the best results.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the production of dried grass this season, as compared with last year at the same date.

I have no exact returns of production of dried grass this season, but output so far is probably less than at the same date in 1951 owing to the dry weather.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that he is getting an adequate allowance of steel for the industry and does he agree that in the case of the grass-drying programme time is the important factor?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many agricultural holdings there are in East Suffolk under 100 acres, between 100 and 300 acres, and how many above 300 acres, respectively.

In June, 1951, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 3,744 holdings in East Suffolk of under 100 acres of crops and grass; 1,225 between 100 and 300 acres; and 263 of 300 acres and over.

Do not the figures given by my right hon. Friend show the wisdom of his action in getting a higher price for the first 400 gallons of milk per month?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now say when he will announce the Government's policy for the horticultural industry; and whether a decision has been reached in the application by the National Farmers' Union for a review of horticultural tariffs.

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 3rd July and to the right hon. Member on 17th July.

Both those answers were extremely unsatisfactory to everybody in the House and to the industry. Since the right hon. Gentleman was going to do so much better than we were doing does not he think that after nine months it is about time that he got round to dealing with this matter?

I have nothing further to add today.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that all farms in respect of which a direction has been issued under the Tillage (Maximum Pasture Acreage) Order have been inspected this summer: and with what results.

No. Sir, I could not say, without special inquiry of all the county committees concerned, but it is my intention that these directions should be followed up

What is the point of paying £5 an acre for ploughing up if the right hon. Gentleman is not even willing to find out whether the directions he has given are being carried out?

If the right hon. Gentleman will study my reply he will see that it is my intention that these directions should be followed up.

How can the right hon. Gentleman say that if he has not even inspected the farms in regard to which he has issued orders?

If I may return to the charge I would say that there is at any rate a greater improvement than was carried out when the right hon. Gentleman was in office.

Nothing at all has been done.

Is not it a fact that the farmers do not have to put in their returns for tillings this year until 31st August? How can they be exempt?

I think that is correct.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what effects he estimates his policy this year, in respect of the import of soft fruits, especially strawberries, has had upon the markets and prices that have been available to the home growers, especially in Hampshire; and how this has compared with the circumstances of last year.

The import quotas that have been imposed this year for balance of payments reasons have kept imports of soft fruit, including strawberries, well below last year's levels. This has exercised a steady influence on prices, and although home crops are larger this year than last, prices have not been very different from last year's. I have received no reports of growers being unable to sell soft fruit of a marketable standard. Prices of fruit for processing are higher than was expected earlier in the season and strawberries for processing generally fetched equal or higher prices than last year.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him to pay particular attention to this problem next year and in future years, as a very small margin might make all the difference between economic and uneconomic work?

As the imports of strawberries are apparently much smaller this year than they were last year, why is it that their price has remained just the same?

There is a bigger crop.

Would my right hon. Friend turn his attention to the question of plums? Is he aware that in Worcestershire the price offered to growers of plums is not sufficiently large even to allow them to pick their crops or to pay for the labour of doing so?

I realise that the plum crop is likely to be very heavy this year and I think the House and my hon. Friend will recollect that we are trying to help by an additional allocation of sugar.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an estimate of how many more raspberries the Government are likely to get during the year?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman now realise that something better than his miserable answer to Question No. 19 is desirable?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what restrictions govern foreign trawlers in regard to the price at which their catches can be sold for human consumption when landed at Hull and Grimsby.

There are no Government restrictions on the prices of foreign-caught fish. I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the minimum price agreement operating at Hull and Grimsby. I am informed that foreign trawlers landing at these ports conform to this agreement.

Do I understand that when foreign trawlers come to Grimsby and Hull with catches, unless they can get a certain price, automatically all the fish has to go for fertiliser, fishmeal or to the glue works rather than to the housewife to enable her to have an opportunity of getting cheaper fish?

The hon. Gentleman can read my answer in HANSARD tomorrow. I should like to remind him that the White Fish Authority have power, under Section 4 (1) of the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1951, to act as fish salesmen in certain circumstances. If they thought there was a salesmen's ring which they ought to break in the national interest, it would be open to them to set up in competition with established fish salesmen. So far they are satisfied that there is no call for such action, because they do not regard the system of minimum prices as being against the national interest.

Is it not a fact that a lot of the long-distance trawler owners in Hull and Grimsby, who are well known to be making big profits at present, constitute the authority who have laid down these prices, and nobody else? If not, who did it? Will not the Minister answer? As the Minister refuses to answer a very simple question, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise the matter at the earliest opportunity on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what approach has been made to him by the Great Ouse River Catchment Board with regard to an electric fishing machine; what ruling he has given in this matter; and if he will take powers to ban the use of such devices except with his approval.

The river boards already have power to determine the instruments which may be used for fishing and the conditions under which they may be used. The Great Ouse River Board have asked my Department to advise them on the drafting of a byelaw to prohibit the use of electric fishing machines except under licence. My Department is advising them as requested, but the byelaw will have to be advertised, and any objections that are received will have to be considered, before it is put to me for confirmation.

Am I not right in saying that this particular machine—of which the right hon. Gentleman has knowledge—is an extremely technical one, and that its indiscriminate use or its use by poachers might have a very damaging effect upon British rivers? Can I have his assurance that he will take the earliest possible action in this matter?

I agree that this machine, which is an extremely interesting one, may be useful for some purposes; but to prevent its abuse its use will clearly have to be subject to very close attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to ensure that the white fish subsidy is continued after 31st July, 1952, and that a higher rate per stone of fish is paid in view of the increased costs in fishing operations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what changes are contemplated in the white fish industry when the subsidy comes to an end in July, 1952.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the white fish subsidy is to be continued beyond July, 1952; and, if so, on what terms and conditions.

The Government have decided to continue payment of the white fish subsidy for a further period up to the end of March, 1953, but not to increase the rates generally. Consideration is being given to one or two minor upward adjustments, but the total level of expenditure will be little above that of the last year.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that statement will give general satisfaction throughout the section of the fishing industry concerned, and also that in some sections of the inshore fishing industry, particularly in the west of England, fishermen are having great difficulty in making ends meet owing to the increase in the cost of gear and in operating costs, and to reduced catches due to the activities of foreign trawlers operating in our own domestic waters?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this subsidy, quite properly, was announced about two years ago as a temporary measure pending the production by the White Fish Authority of objective reports on reorganisation within the industry? Can the right hon. Gentleman say when we are likely to have a report from the Authority which may avoid the necessity for a further continuance of the subsidy?

We have just had a report from the White Fish Authority, and I would inform the House that this decision has been taken in consultation with them. They are continuing their consideration of this very difficult problem.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the position, after these arrangements have been made, will mean that we shall then have a minimum price, a subsidy, and no maximum price? Can he also say whether, when the controlled maximum price was removed, that was done on the advice of the experts at that time who said that the result would be a lowering of fish prices generally?

I think the hon. Gentleman is referring to retail prices. That, of course, is a question for my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of police hours per month spent in operating speed traps in the Metropolitan area; and the annual cost of such operations.

In 1951, the average number of han-hours per month spent in operating fixed speed patrols in the Metropolitan Police district was 3,345. No additional police are employed for the purpose of operating these patrols, and the second part of the Question does not arise.

Obviously there must be a cost involved. Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether, taking fines into account, a profit is made upon these transactions?

That is another question.

While we would all agree that speed is important, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman keep in mind that careless and dangerous driving are more relevant to accidents even than speed itself? Can he stimulate the police to be more active in that direction?

Both aspects of the matter warrant most careful attention. I shall devote attention to the point which the right hon. Gentleman has raised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to improve recruitment for the police forces in the United Kingdom, in view of the shortage of police officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further increases there have been in the police force in England and Wales over the last suitable accounting period; and, in view of the prevalence of serious crime, what steps he is taking to improve recruiting.

Since 30th September, 1951, 4,733 men have joined the police forces in England and Wales, and, after taking account of wastage, the net increase in strength has been over 2,400 men. For the forces generally, the steady, if not spectacular, improvement which followed the introduction of improved rates of pay last August continues. I have no reason to think that appointing authorities are neglecting any reasonable steps in the discharge of their responsibilities. The position is kept under constant review.

Does not the present shortage of police result in the police forces of the country being very much overworked and consequently seriously handicapped in their anti-criminal activities? Is the Home Secretary satisfied that the conditions of service in the police are sufficiently attractive to offer good career prospects from the point of view of young men or young women contemplating joining it?

Yes, I am satisfied that the police force today offers an excellent career with chances of improvement of position, education and personal outlook, and of rising to the highest appointments. I believe that the best method of recruitment is from the members of the force themselves, who can explain those advantages. My experience after nine months is that we are getting a good type of recruit. I hope that the improvement in the figures will continue.

Is the Home Secretary satisfied that the present rate of recruitment is sufficient to deal with the existing crime situation?

I am not. I shall not be satisfied until the deficiency is made up, but I am satisfied that we have made an improvement, and I hope it will continue.

In view of the statement of the Home Secretary that he believes the best type of recruitment comes from the police thmselves and their families, does he think it encouraging that the Association of Municipal Corporations' Police Committee have made a statement, which has been published, that whatever steps he takes through his own Police Council to deal with matters on which no agreement has yet been reached, they will not be prepared to give to his Department the assistance to which it is entitled if he takes a certain decision?

I hope that all bodies represented on the Police Council will co-operate to get agreement on the matters outstanding in the Oaksey Report. I should prefer not to make adverse comment on what has been said, but to appeal to them to try on Monday and in the future, to make their co-operation effective.

Do I understand from that answer that the Police Council will be meeting on Monday? If so, may I be allowed to assure the right hon. and learned Gentleman that we reciprocate the views he has just expressed?

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman.