Available online
Description
This programme comprises an extended studio interview between Dr John Blunden of the Open University and the Right Honourable Fred Peart MP, Labour's Minister of Agriculture, 1964-68. A Pathé News... item about the 1947 Agriculture Act leads to a discussion about the implications of the Act and the part played by Tom Williams (Minister of Agriculture from 1945 to 1951) in the formulation of post-war policy. Mr Peart then goes on to talk about his own period of office, the way decisions were made, and particularly the procedures involved in compiling the Annual Agricultural Review.
This programme comprises an extended studio interview between Dr John Blunden of the Open University and the Right Honourable Fred Peart MP, Labour's Minister of Agriculture, 1964-68. A Pathé News... item about the 1947 Agriculture Act leads to a discussion about the implications of the Act and the part played by Tom Williams (Minister of Agriculture from 1945 to 1951) in the formulation of post-war policy. Mr Peart then goes on to talk about his own period of office, the way decisions were made, and particularly the procedures involved in compiling the Annual Agricultural Review.
| Module code and title: | D203, Decision making in Britain |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D203; 07 |
| First transmission date: | 08-03-1971 |
| Published: | 1971 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:24 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Michael Philps |
| Contributors: | John Blunden; Fred Peart; Tom Williams |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 1974 Agriculture Act; Annual Agricultural Review; Pathe News; Post-war policy |
| Footage description: | Sequence from Pathé News Autumn 1947 dealing with the problem of food shortages, and the government move to improve matters. Tom Williams the Agricultural Minister at that time is interviewed on the film. He talks about a proposed Agriculture Bill. Also interviewed are contemporary farmers on their opinion of the Bill. John Blunden introduces the programme and begins the interview with Fred Peart. The historical background to the Act mentioned in the newsreel sequence is the main subject of this sequence. Peart and Blunden speculate on the possible differences between the '47 Act introduced by a Labour administration and that introduced by a Conservative administration had the latter party been elected in the '45 General Election. The Act of 1947 is now considered in greater detail. The question of price review negotiations is given considerable attention. Peart is asked to answer questions concerning his own period of office and in particular why it was that the Conservative 1957 Agricultural Act was left almost untouched. Peart now expands, in response to Blunden's question, on the general criteria of a government's price review policy. Peart describes the sources open to an Agricultural Minister for information on which to base his policy. Peart now discusses further activities in the decision making process which will lead to the establishment of criteria in the formation of our price review policy. In response to Blunden's questions, Peart now describes the activities of the Agricultural Policy Committee. The role of the Treasury is also examined and described. The process of initiating talks and the talks themselves with the National Farmer's Union are now examined in a general, not particular, sense. Blunden asks Peart how far he would consider himself as a spokesman for agricultural interests rather than pursuing a more independent line. Peart answers. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/70214 |
| Production number: | 00521_2205 |
| Videofinder number: | 3404 |
| Available to public: | no |
