Mr Alastair Harrison: I have been approached today by the Red Poll Cattle Society, which represents a breed that is particularly well-known and indigenous to East Anglia. The Society has no complaint whatever at the standards demanded by the Ministry's inspectors. There appears, however, to be a certain amount of misunderstanding amongst those inspectors about the stock that they are permitted to inspect and on...
Mr Alastair Harrison: Would not the hon. Gentleman admit, though, that the Bill guarantees the price well forward and not just for one year? It guarantees it forward from when the crop is sown, but underwrites it for a matter of five years ahead.
Mr Alastair Harrison: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale) for raising this matter, because it is one that has been worrying me and my constituents for a very considerable time. We live closer to Foulness and Shoeburyness than do his constituents. Though I must admit that we have not suffered quite as severe damage as have people who live in Clacton, Frinton, and St. Osyth,...
Mr Alastair Harrison: To clear our minds, could the hon. Gentleman distinguish between indigenous people and native people?
Mr Alastair Harrison: Until today I had always thought that I was the great advocate of Australia in this House, but after hearing the speech of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) I realise now that I come a poor second in my desire to put the interests of Australia and the interests of the Commonwealth to the fore. I only hope that when the next Test match series is on I shall get...
Mr Alastair Harrison: I am very interested in this point. I wonder whether the hon. Member could confirm whether the figures which he gave for arrivals in those countries were for migrants and whether the other figures were for migrants or merely for people who were out of those countries for a short time and who, when they returned to Australia or New Zealand, were not included in the larger figure.
Mr Alastair Harrison: I apologise to the hon. Member for interrupting a second time, but, again, he is not comparing like with like. I have worked with a pick and shovel in Australia at a temperature of up to 110 degrees. I would prefer to do it on a hot day there than on a summer's day here, because the climatic conditions are completely different. The hon. Member is not painting a fair picture.
Mr Alastair Harrison: I am delighted that my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) has raised this subject, because I received a telegram this evening from my local branch of the National Fanners' Union, saying : Report harvest position most serious. Well over 8,000 acres cereals yet to combine. Greatest need is drying facilities and storage. Urge you press for all national silos...
Mr Alastair Harrison: Unlike one of my hon. Friends, it is with great diffidence that I speak in front of so many schoolmasters and others having much more experience of education than I have. I must also admit that I have not even been educated altogether in this country, but that, I think, has certain advantages. It enables one to look with more detachment at the subject, to appreciate the education system as...
Mr Alastair Harrison: I understood that the mortal blow to which I was referring was this increase in the fees. That increase will not affect those people who are really keen on improving themselves, but will help to make sure that there is not a waste of skilled teachers who could be much better employed in other directions. There is a case in point in my own constituency, where I understand that for the coming...
Mr Alastair Harrison: I am very grateful to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Smithers) for raising this subject, because it is an important one. I keep bees as a hobby and as a weekend relaxation, but I want to talk about them tonight from the point of view of commercial seed growers and fruit producers. I recommend bee-keeping to anybody who leads a fairly busy life, because when one is manipulating a hive it...
Mr Alastair Harrison: I regard these Supplementary Estimates as very important. In the train coming up to town today a farmer was telling me that if we had a proper subsidy for lime and for drainage that was all that was needed for good farming. I cannot go as far as that, but I think they are both vital in agriculture. Lime is very important for building up the fertility and strength of the soil. If fertiliser is...
Mr Alastair Harrison: I am grateful to the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen (Mr. Moyle) for raising this matter, and as we want to hear a reply from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary I will be as brief as possible. There are, however, three points I wish to bring to my hon. Friend's notice. First, I hope that the Ministry will arrive at a decision about these farms as soon as possible. Probably I...
Mr Alastair Harrison: I beg to second the Motion. I am conscious of the privilege of being allowed to second the Motion of thanks in reply to the Gracious Speech, but I realise that it is an honour which I accept not for myself but for my constituents. I must also admit to great personal diffidence in seconding the Motion, as this is my maiden speech. I therefore doubly crave the indulgence which the House...
