asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further representations he has had about the possibility of establishing a marketing board for cereals.

I am aware that the N.F.U. has had the possibility of a marketing board for cereals under consideration. In view of my right hon. Friend's responsibilities under the Act, it would not be appropriate for me to say more at this stage.

Surely the Minister is aware that, notwithstanding the attitude of the N.F.U. leadership, this issue perhaps more than any other is causing great anxiety in agriculture? Does he not accept that the present state and the prospects of the cereals market make it necessary for the Government to take some initiative, and would not it be better for them to do so long before this year's crop hits the market?

The hon. Gentleman must be aware that for the establishment of a marketing board—which is what his supplementary question is based on—the initiative must come from the producers.

If the Minister is trying to keep the price of barley within sight of the Common Market price, as he said more than a year ago, what body will intervene if there is not to be a marketing board?

The intervention authority in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to explain the effects of the common agricultural policy of the European Economic Community to the British farming community.

I shall be using all the usual resources of my Department, including its extensive contacts with the farming community, to explain the implications of the Treaty of Accession and of the detailed arrangements for applying the common agricultural policy as they are worked out.

I am grateful that the Minister intends to use his Department's resources, but is he aware that next year when prices start to rise the farming community will be carrying the can for price increases? Should he not use all his resources to acquit the farming community and to make sure that the blame rests where it should, on the shoulders of himself and his hon. Friends?

I was grateful for what the hon. Gentleman started to say because I thought he was removing some of the possible blame from me to the farming community, but he continued by referring the blame back to me. The answer is that when we are in the Community prices will have to go up. We have made this abundantly plain to the public as a whole, but there will, of course, be many compensating advantages.

Will the Minister bear in mind that some of us in agriculture are excited at the prospect of going into the Common Market? For the first time there will be a chance of real expansion in production and of exporting our excellent products.

I agree with what my hon. Friend said.

Is the Minister aware that the British housewife is also becoming a little excited'? What plans has he for explaining the effect of the common agricultural policy on the British consumer? Will he make it absolutely clear that, in addition to a swingeing increase in food prices, there will also be the cost of value-added tax? Will he be much more frank with the house-wife than he has been?

I do not think that any Government at any time could have put the facts more squarely to the housewife than have the present Government. That is more than can be said of the Opposition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek consultations with the European Economic Community farm Ministers during current discussions to increase farm prices within the Community for the 1972–73 marketing year.

Under the arrangements agreed for the period before accession the Community will consult us before coming to a final decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that proposals for an increase on average of 8 per cent. in Community prices have been announced by the Common Market Commission? First, will he tell us what effect he expects this to have on the cost-of-living index in the first year of British entry? Secondly, will he bring this matter to the attention of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and urge on him the need to be more flexible towards and accommodating of the miners' pay claim'?

Until a final decision is reached by the Council of Ministers, which I think will be on 15th March, it would be premature to make any statement on the effect that this will have on the cost of living. However, I shall be making a statement to the House soon after we have the actual figures available, which we are hoping will be less than 8 per cent. We have made it clear to the Community that we think that it is in our interests to restrain Community farm prices and therefore to get a better balance between the needs of the consumer and of the farmer.

Will my right hon. Friend elaborate on the consultations which are taking place and have taken place with the Council of Ministers and the Commission while the proposals—they are only proposals—are being put forward by the Commission to the Council of Ministers?

My officials went to Brussels last week. Dr. Mansholt was over here last Friday, and I had a long talk with him then. I have also seen Dr. Ertl and Mr. Cointat in the last fortnight. The consultations will continue right up to four o'clock on the morning of 15th March, or whatever time they decide

Will the Minister tell us what percentage increase he would consider appropriate, since he considers 8 per cent. too high and wants to hold the balance between the needs of the consumer and of the farmer.

It is not up to us to decide this year, although we shall be consulted about the final decision. In future years we shall be able to play a full part. In so far as there have to be increases, we would prefer them to be on livestock products rather than on cereals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to offset increased food prices as a result of the present review of common agricultural policy prices.

No decisions have yet been reached on the levels of agricultural prices in the Community for the coming year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answers to this Question and to the previous Question dealing with the effects of increased food prices on housewives make nonsense of the Government's wages policy—especially on a day such as today, when we are about to debate the miners' strike and the current 7·9 per cent. offer? Will he bear in mind that we do not want any more of these crocodile tears for old-age pensioners but that we want to see the scrapping of the C.A.P., of entry into the E.E.C. and of all that goes with it?

This question relates to E.E.C. prices, and as yet no new prices have been fixed.

In view of the Commission's proposals, if agreed by the Council of Ministers, and the fall in some world commodity food prices, what steps will the Government take to republish the section of the White Paper which dealt with the rise in food prices?

I do not believe that a further White Paper is necessary, but I can give my hon. Friend the undertaking that, as soon as the new E.E.C. prices have been agreed, I shall make arrangements for them to be made available to the House. I refer to the new computations of those prices and our assessment of what this means in terms of a gap between our prices and prices in the E.E.C. I would remind my hon. Friend that, although some prices will have widened, others in the meantime will have narrowed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the cost of food has now risen since June, 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what percentage food prices have now risen since 18th June, 1970.

Between 16th June, 1970, and 14th December, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, the Food Index rose by 15 per cent.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is a scandalous rate of increase—coming, as it does, from a Government who promised to cut prices at a stroke? In view of the fact that staple items in an old-age pensioner's weekly food bill continue to increase in price at an alarming rate, would he now urge his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to extend the meals-on-wheels service, which is now possible because of the spare capacity in school canteens?

The second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. On the first part of the question, the index of non-seasonal foods, which accounts for over four-fifths of total foods, has increased by over 2·9 per cent. since July, compared with a rise of 4 per cent. during the same period last year. This shows that the present Government are getting prices under control, which is something that Opposition could never do.

Ever since June, 1971, it has been possible for my right hon. Friend to report a less rapid rise in food prices. Simultaneously, he will have noticed that the average level of wage settlements has dropped from about 12 per cent. to about 8 per cent. Does he see any connection between these two events?

Yes, Sir, there is certainly a connection between these two events—and the longer a Conservative Government remain in office, the better the position will get.

Is it not apparent that, despite the gloss the Minister is trying to put on the matter, these answers are a shocking indictment of the Government's record and that the right hon. Gentleman should be thoroughly ashamed of his part in it? Is he aware that millions of people this winter are suffering real hardship and in future are not likely to believe a single word said by him or by the Prime Minister, particularly at election time?

One thing about old-age pensioners of which I and my party are extremely proud is that we are the Government who have made it possible to review pensions each year, which is more than the Opposition ever did.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this 15 per cent. increase is probably the most shocking of all the many shocking statements made by the present Government? Secondly, does he not recall that over 12,000 price increases have been registered by the Grocer since June, 1970? [An HON. MEMBER: "Which grocer?"] And since neither grocer promised this at the General Election, is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman resigned?

All this shows that during the first 18 months of Conservative Government we have had a difficult time and that we inherited these difficulties from the Labour Party. The fact that we are now getting things better should be a matter for rejoicing by the Opposition, instead of their bellyaching about the past.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what fall in the rate of increase in food prices has taken place during the six months ended 31st January, 1972, compared with the 12 months ended 31st July, 1971.

Between 22nd June, 1971, and 14th December, 1971, the latest date for which information is available, the Food Index rose by 2·7 per cent. Between 21st July, 1970, and 20th July, 1971, the Food Index rose by 11·5 per cent. It should be borne in mind, however, that comparisons of price movements in different periods of the year are considerably affected by seasonal factors.

Discounting seasonal factors, will not my right hon. Friend agree that, in respect of the first period of 12 months of Tory rule to July, 1971, prices were rising four times as fast as they have been rising in the last six months—[An HON. MEMBER: "Whitewash."] It is not whitewash at all—[An HON. MEMBER: "Drivel."]—is not this a highly encouraging factor on which my right hon. Friend the Minister and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister should congratulate themselves warmly?

There is a very considerable improvement, and I know that right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite will be pleased about it.

Is the Minister aware that the British housewife is fed up with figure juggling, statistics, graphs and decimal points? Can he tell us any prices which have come down?

Brussels sprouts.

Very, very few prices have come down, and I am the first to admit it. That is why we hope very much to do better in the next year or so than we did in our first year in office, which was after right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite had given up.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much food prices have risen since the election up to the present time; and by how much the earnings of the lowest tenth of manual workers have risen over the same period, according to estimates available.

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Birmingham, North-field (Mr. Carter) and Rugby (Mr. William Price). As to the second part, earnings statistics of the type referred to are not available for a more recent date than April, 1971, but the index of basic weekly rates of wages of all manual workers increased by 18·9 per cent. between June, 1970, and December. 1971.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the first Government since the war who, after 18 months of rule, have allowed literally millions of low-paid workers to be poorer in real terms in purchasing power than before the election? Is he also aware that to regard the family income supplement as meeting this problem is like expecting to staunch a flood with a tea cup? Above all, will he tell us what he is doing to prevent the problem of family poverty getting worse if we enter the E.E.C.?

There is no evidence of this. Over the latest periods for which firm information is available, the lowest decile of earnings rose faster than both the food index and the all-items index

Is it not historically true that reduced prices to farmers have never brought prosperity to any section of the community, and that in town and country prosperity has come when farmers have received reasonable prices?

I do not believe that we shall have a prosperous nation without a prosperous agricultural industry. That is what I am out to achieve.

Is not the Minister talking a lot of nonsense? Even within his figures for the percentages, he knows that 15 per cent. derives from food prices alone. Does not this attitude make a vicious nonsense of the Government's policy towards lower-paid workers—for example, the miners?

The hon. Gentleman is talking nonsense, and he knows it. The increase in wages over the same period is 18·9 per cent., which is more than the all-items index or the food index.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up a departmental working party into land use of upland marginal areas, in view of Great Britain's proposed entry to the European Economic Community.

The Government have it very much in mind that the various uses of land in the upland marginal areas need to be considered on a comprehensive basis, taking account also of the Community's thinking on these aspects. My right hon. Friends are considering whether any special machinery is needed for this purpose and, if so, what form it should take.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for what could be an encouraging reply. Does he appreciate that when and if we enter the Common Market the whole agricultural pattern, and perhaps the landscape of the upland areas, could be changed? Would his Department look at the possibility of setting up a departmental committee, because only his Department has access to the multitudinous regulations?

On land use, one must consider matters such as farming, forestry, tourism and recreation in the upland areas. All must be complementary and must not conflict. I take note of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that those who farm in upland marginal areas should be much encouraged by Dr. Mansholt's remarks last week to the effect that the Community has a great deal to learn from practice in this country in respect of its land?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to require that the label on bottles of blended whisky should state the percentages of malt whisky and grain whisky, respectively, in the blend.

No, Sir. Such percentages might be misconstrued. The quality of a blended whisky depends on the quality and character of the single whiskies in the blend and the skill of the blender.

What the hon. Gentleman said goes without saying, but will he not look further into this matter? Does he not realise that the long-term future of British whisky exports depends on an understanding of the value of the great malts? Would not a provision such as I am suggesting help to educate the people in this country and abroad to understand the unique contribution which Scottish malts can make as against Japanese grain whisky?

What I said in my reply needed saying as a tribute to the skill of the blender. Malts differ in quality, character and compatability. A blend of 35 per cent. of some malts and 65 per cent. of grain, if skilfully blended, would make a better whisky than 50–50 of each.

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind that the greatest service he can perform to aid and further expand Scottish whisky exports is to advise the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce the exhorbitant duty on the home market thereby enabling us to consume more?

I have already paid tribute to my hon. Friend's obvious interest in beer. It cheers me to know that he is so interested in whisky, too.

May I ask the Minister to make plain to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South-West (Mr. George Cunningham) that there is no such thing as British whisky. There is only Scottish whisky in the sense in which the Question is asked. Would he also make it clear that, in resisting any attempt at such legislation, the decision made by the Royal Commission which was accepted by everybody in 1909, resulting from the legal action in 1905 of the Islington Borough Council, is sufficient for us all to rest content?

I thought I heard the hon. Gentleman, in his ebullience, refer to Scottish whisky. I prefer merely to refer to it as Scotch.

Am I right in saying that whisky cannot be labelled Scotch whisky unless it contains malt? If that is the case, should there not be a minimum?

No, Sir, the hon. Gentleman is wrong. Scotch whisky is whisky distilled in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the revised Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and the arrangements made for the Commonwealth sugar-producing areas following Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Protocol 17 to the Treaty of Accession sets out the conditions under which sugar purchased under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement can continue to be imported until 28th February, 1975. Subsequent arrangements for the developing Commonwealth countries concerned will be settled in the context of association or trading agreements between them and the enlarged Community.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is only half an answer? What he has failed to show in it is that the price of Commonwealth sugar has risen by £7 per ton and can rise by a further £11 under the agreement, which was commended because his Government have decided to join the E.E.C. Will the Minister also take into account the fact that there is an increase in ex-refinery prices as well, which is a further commentary on his answer to the previous Question that retail prices had risen by 15 per cent. since June, 1970?

The increase in the Commonwealth sugar price which has just been negotiated ought to find some sympathy with right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite because it is to meet the needs of developing countries which have had no increase in sugar prices for some years. I think that that would be a reasonable point of view for right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite to support.

When my right hon. Friend is considering these arrangements, will he bear in mind that Scotland is part of the Commonwealth?

I will not only bear it in mind. In this House, it is hardly likely that one would ever be allowed to forget it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House are concerned with quantities as well as with prices? Will he give an unqualified and definitive assurance to the House that there will be access to the Common Market for 1·4 million tons of Commonwealth sugar?

The hon. Gentleman spent a long time while going round the West Indies trying to undermine the agreement. I can assure him that the agreement which was reached at Lancaster House last June is regarded as a firm assurance of a continuing market for present quantities, and Commonwealth countries intend to plan production on that basis.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated amount of potatoes, in tons, that will be licensed for imports into this country during the next six months; and if he will give the names of the exporting countries.

Imports of new potatoes are not subject to individual licence. Imports of main crop potatoes are normally prohibited, and it is not expected that any import licences will be issued for these during the next six months.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Ought he to have consultations with small farmers about projected imports of potatoes? Will he assure us that, if no imports are allowed in the next six months, the price of chips will be kept at a reasonable level?

I think that consultations with small farmers are matters for the Potato Marketing Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase the number of viable agricultural units, in view of the effect on existing agricultural units of present rates of estate duty.

Our proposals to make the farm structure schemes more effective were explained in the Second Reading Debate on the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The operation of estate duty has not prevented a steady increase in the average size of farms and I believe our proposals will accelerate this increase.

My right hon. Friend will recall that he agreed last year that there was a clear clash of policy objectives between his Ministry and the Treasury. Can he indicate how that clash will be resolved and explain how British farmers will be able to compete under E.E.C. conditions, where capital taxation on land is very considerably lower?

Both those are matters for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, my hon. Friend should recognise that we have no evidence that estate duty has deterred amalgamations. Where a farm has been split up, generally it has been joined to other farms to make those farms bigger. But we are keeping the matter under consideration, and I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Has my right hon. Friend considered the serious effect of capital gains tax when a farmer wishes to retire and to pass on his farm to his son?

We have been considering this carefully. This is another matter on which I am seeking further advice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider introduc ing legislation to stop the sale of unpasteurised milk.

My right hon. Friend is considering whether any measures would be desirable regarding the sale of such milk.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for Scotland has had this Question put to him and has given a similar reply? Is the hon. Gentleman aware, further, that, in their annual reports, medical officers of health have intimated that the sale of unpasteurised milk from the cow to the consumer carries tremendous risks and that the only way of avoiding those risks is by introducing legislation? Will not the Minister consider this matter seriously, in the interests of the health of the nation?

Consideration is going on. I think that we shall improve matters by the brucellosis eradication programme. We are also introducing a compulsory colour code for milk bottle caps, to enable people to see what they are buying. Medical officers of health can ban the sale of milk or require heat treatment if they suspect that it is infected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he intends to have with the margarine manufacturers and the National Dairy Council concerning the use of linoleic acid in the production of margarine.

None. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid naturally present in most foods. Vegetable oils used in the production of margarine are rich in this substance. It is essential to the diet of infants and almost certainly adults as well.

Is the Minister aware that margarine manufacturers claim that this substance is an aid to health, whereas the National Dairy Council tends to argue that it is a health hazard? Who is right?

There is no proof that it either prevents or causes heart disease. Claims are made by people in support of their own products. I do not think that it is for us to try to conciliate them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the National Farmers' Unions about a marketing board for meat.

None, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that he has not intimated to the National Farmers' Unions, either officially or unofficially, that any proposals for a marketing board would be extremely unwelcome to the Government?

As no positive proposals have been put to us, no comment has been made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates will be the total amount of agricultural land in England and Wales which will be taken out of production in each of the next three years and flooded for reservoirs.

On the basis of schemes authorised over the past five years, a little over 5,000 acres is likely to be taken within a corresponding period, but this cannot be related precisely to individual years.

In view of the steady erosion of land for reservoir use, will my hon. Friend consider pressing upon the appropriate Minister the need to go ahead with a desalination plant in this country, either where the Ipswich plant was planned originally or at some suitable point on our coast?

My right hon. Friend is ready to consider any desalination plant, provided that it is efficient and economical.

Will the Minister tell us what the relationship will be between his Ministry and the new river authorities which will have responsibility for this matter, whether they have put projected schemes before him for the next five years, and whether that land is included in his estimate?

I think, "Yes", but I will look into that and let the hon. and learned Gentleman know.

Will my hon. Friend see that when land is acquired for reservoirs the worst agricultural land is taken and not the best as is frequently the case in the North of England?

We shall certainly do whatever we can to preserve the best agricultural land.

Is the Minister aware that if he can persuade his colleagues in the Department of the Environment to build a barrage across the Dee Estuary there will be no flooding whatsoever of any valleys in North Wales?

I certainly take note of what the hon. Gentleman said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will draw to the attention of the company whose name has been sent to him, and others who wish to practise the system, the terms of the Code of Practice, in view of the fact that piglets are being put in cages when about seven days old, kept at a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity content of 55 to 65 per cent. and in total darkness except when being fed twice daily

The Code has already been sent to this company's veterinarians and to all farmers and veterinarians in private practice.

It is all very well sending the Code. But will my hon. Friend ensure that this firm and others adopt the proposals laid down in the Code regarding lighting, temperature, humidity and space? It is not enough to have a Code and to send it to these people. Has he heard from them that in future they will carry out the recommendations of the Code? Otherwise it is meaningless.

My hon. Friend asked whether I would draw the attention of the company to the Code. It has been sent to the company. The cage units seem to follow the recommendations on space and flooring, and a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity content of 55 per cent to 65 per cent., my hon. Friend may be surprised to know, is considered by veterinarians to be ideal for young pigs.

Would it not be a good thing if this laudable concern for the welfare of piglets were extended to hare-coursing and stag-hunting?

I see very little connection between the two.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind, when considering this subject that, though codes of conduct are important, intensive methods of production have helped to contain increases in the price of food?

I certainly take my hon. Friend's point; but it is very important, in my view, that the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and the veterinary profession should be vigilant on welfare matters. We shall consider what advice they give us with great care.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make arrangements for a second interim barley deficiency payment.

It is too soon to decide whether a second advance deficiency payment for barley is justified, but my right hon. Friend is watching the position carefully and will bear this suggestion in mind.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that many farmers were disappointed by the small amount of the first interim deficiency payment? What would be the latest time at which a second interim payment would be made if it were decided that it was possible to make one?

I should not like to tie down my right hon. Friend on this matter, but I suspect that a decision will be made within the next few weeks.

Would it not be better if the Minister explained to farmers how the calculation was made, as he knows that they are dissatisfied and do not understand it?

It would be difficult to do that at Question Time. I can quickly give the hon. Gentleman two reasons: the wheat guarantee is nearly £4 a ton higher than the barley guarantee and barley is making fully as much, if not more than, wheat in the market.

Is my hon. Friend aware that unless a second deficiency payment is made for barley, many farmers will not obtain the guaranteed price?

The position about the guaranteed price is precisely the same as in previous years; that is, the guarantee less the average market price. That is how it will be calculated this year, as always.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the complacent and lethargic attitude which his Ministry is showing towards the state of the market for cereals is not good enough? It is not good enough to say that he is waiting for the producers to come forward with an initiative. The Government, too, have some responsibility in this sphere.

The hon. Gentleman might care to recall that two years ago, after a big harvest and with no minimum import prices, prices were very much lower than they are today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to explain to the public the new grading system for eggs.

No decision has yet been taken about the date on which the E.E.C. egg grades will be introduced. but the Government have issued an explanatory booklet "The Egg Trade and the E.E.C." for people in the trade. The Government will ensure that the differences between the present grades and the E.E.C. grades are also explained to consumers before the change takes place.

Will the Minister confirm that some shops will begin to sell eggs in the five grades used in the Common Market based on metric weights as well as eggs in the four grades with which we are already familiar, that this change will take place before the official change-over, and that it will be very confusing to the housewife? Do the Government accept that there will have to be some publicity to make the difference clear to the housewife?

Yes, I accept that. That is why I should like to make it clear that the booklet to which I have referred is available to anybody, free on request.

Will my hon. Friend tell us the advantage of having five grades instead of the three we have at the moment—large, medium and small?

There are five grades here and there will be seven under the E.E.C. system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of a single retired person's pension was usually spent on food at the latest date for which figures are available; and what proportion was so spent in the last quarter of 1969.

The Family Expenditure Survey data are based on the total available income of the household. On this basis, food represented 29 per cent. of the total expenditure by retired one-person pensioner households in the last quarter of 1969, when pensions were increased. The latest available survey results relate to the second quarter of 1971, immediately before pensions were increased, and the proportion was then 32 per cent. The September, 1971, increase brought the real value of pensions to the highest level ever.

Is it not clear that the present situation is unsatisfactory and that the imminent increase in food prices, to which the Minister referred today, is likely to make the position disgraceful? Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that his colleagues in the Government are aware that food prices will rise very heavily, that pensioners will be very badly placed and that there is urgent need for very sizeable increases in pensions?

My colleagues in the Government, and the whole of my party, are aware of this problem. That is why we are the party which has announced that the pension will be reviewed annually, and that is very welcome to pensioners.

Why is Mr. Alexander Kenworthy apparently so much better informed than Members of Parliament? Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report that he is now negotiating a further 10 per cent. increase in food prices as part of the present farm price review? Is he aware that if that happens, it will be heartbreaking news for every pensioner and everyone on a fixed income?

The hon. Gentleman would not expect me to comment on what newspapers say any more than I comment on what he says.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many letters he has received concerning the future work of the Milk Marketing Board following Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and what reply he has given.

My right hon. Friend and I have received 15 during the 12 months ended 31st January, 1972, and we have replied that we expect the essential functions of the Milk Marketing Board to continue.

Will the Minister beat in mind that, although I welcome his conversion to my view of the European cause, his right hon. Friend gave a categorical assurance on 21st September in Okehampton, in Devon, that the Milk Marketing Board would survive our entry into the E.E.C., but that in the middle of last month the Chairman of the Milk Marketing Board said to the Devon branch of the National Farmers' Union that it would be necessary for the farmers of Devon to keep a very vigilant watch on the Government's attitude towards the maintenance of the Milk Marketing Board?

We have never hesitated to say that there might be a difference in one or two of their functions. One is the administering of the guarantee. But I am certain that the hon. Gentleman must have been encouraged by the remarks made at Inverness last week by DT. Mansholt on the subject of marketing boards.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that levels of bacteria in sewage discharges constitute no danger to inshore fishing grounds; and if he will make a statement.

The levels of bacteria in sewage discharges in our inshore fishing grounds are not causing damage to fisheries resources. I am also advised that there is no damage to stocks because of sewage effluent in the Wash which I know is an area of particular concern to my hon. Friend.

Is my hon. Friend aware that tens of thousands of tons of mussels and other shell fish in the Wash are not currently being harvested in view of the expense of dealing with the pollution which can result from a high bacterial content in sewage discharges? Is he also aware that we are net importers of shell fish?

Yes, Sir. I recognise that this is a constant problem. Local authorities have plans to improve the situation. There is a closing order already for the eastern part of the Wash, which can be extended. The efficiency of sewage treatment is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.