§ 71. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food if he has now been able to arrange for the required supplies of agricultural machinery and fertilizers to be sent to Eire, to fulfil the terms of the trade agreement, so that Eire will no longer find it necessary to ship cattle to Belgium in order to obtain essential supplies; and if he will state the prospective extra tonnage of meat that will be obtained for this country.
§ Mr. StracheyThe higher prices we have offered should result in increased supplies of cattle and meat coming to the United Kingdom from Eire, but I am unable to give any estimate of the quantity at this stage. The other matters raised in the 1992 question were covered in the statement issued on 13th November, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. HurdSurely, the Minister realises that, in conditions today, it is not merely pounds that Eire wants, but things that Belgium has been supplying, like basic slag and other essential requirements. Are we going to provide these?
§ Mr. StracheyIf the hon. Member will read the statement, I think he will see a great deal of information of that kind.