§ 41. Mr. Alportasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the establishment of a fruit research station to serve the large fruit-growing areas of East Anglia.
§ Mr. NugentResearch on fruit is considered to be adequately catered for by the East Mailing Research Station, the Long Ashton Research Station and the John Innes Horticultural Institution.
§ Mr. AlportIs my hon. Friend aware that, although the growers in East Anglia appreciate the services of these stations, they feel that the facilities are not sufficient for a section of the industry which is growing rapidly under modern conditions, and that they would welcome any action by the Minister to look into the adequacy of the existing facilities?
§ Mr. NugentI would remind my hon. Friend that these are national stations. They provide for the whole country, and the fact that they are not situated in East Anglia does not mean that their services are not readily available there.