QUESTION PRESSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22242, 30 January 1947, Page 5

QUESTION PRESSED

NO ASSURANCE

“REPLY INCOMPLETE"

OPPOSITION COMPLAINT (Special Correspondent.)

(11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Jan. 29. Although the Opposition still reserves its right to vote against the Agricultural Bill on its third reading, it has decided not to force a division on the second reading.

Opposition speakers, however, renewed their request for assurances that the British farmer would be protected against overseas competition. Sir Thomas Dugdale put this question to the Solicitor-General. Sir Frank Soskice, who replied for the Government: “Will the Government give an undertaking, no matter what pressure there may be in years to come upon our markets to absorb export surpluses of overseas countries, that British agriculture will adequately be protected?’” asked Sir Thomas. The Solicitor-General said he was very willing to give an assurance that in the preliminary talks which had already taken place the United Kingdom had retained full freedom to develop her home agriculture policy unhindered, Opposition speakers protested that this reply was unsatisfactory, but the Solicitor-General refused to be drawn. Captain Crookshank (Conservative— Gainsborough) then repeated the question put to the Government during the debate on the first reading: “Do you, or don’t you. accept the position that the home producers come first and Empire producers second?”

This was greeted with Opposition cries of “answer.” The Solicitor-General left his seat beside the Prime Minister, Mr. C. R. Attlee, and replied sharply: “I have already said the Government keeps itself free to implement the policy embodied in this bill—that is the answer.”