1 NOVEMBER 1940, Page 3

The food debate was left limp without the promised appear-

ance of Mr. Lloyd George. His son is taking over the duties of Mr. Boothby for the time being. Mr. Hudson, as usual, was clear and competent, though uninspiring. He compli- mented the farmers on the land survey, he indicated that there would be a closer liaison between farmers and banks and pointed out the supreme advantage to farmers of fixed prices and a guaranteed market. Mr. John Morgan, from the Labour benches, seemed to doubt the wisdom of so much Government interference with the farmer. Mr. Robertson, the Ayrshire- born member for Streatham, spoke on behalf of the farmers of Southern Midlothian, who are unrepresented owing to the detention of Captain Ramsay in one of His Majesty's gaols. Sir Dymoke White, the new Member for Fareham, made a brief maiden speech lasting two minutes, and Mr. de la Bere spoke with feeling on his favourite subject, agricultural credits. It really is time an authoritative answer on farmers' finance was made.