§ 56. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that in several foreign countries there are special schemes which relieve farmers of the full effects of the rise in price of petrol used in agricultural production; and whether he will consider some similar scheme to keep down the cost of food.
Mr. AmoryI am aware that there are schemes in several foreign countries which relieve farmers of part of the taxation on petrol, but such a scheme would have little effect in reducing food costs.
§ Mr. de FreitasIf the right hon. Gentleman will not introduce such a scheme, will he at least take account of the indirect subsidies which these countries have when comparing our cost of production with the cost of production in neighbouring European countries which have these subsidies?
Mr. AmoryThat is a fair enough point. I wanted to make the point that there is little home-produced food at present which is sold at prices which reflect production costs. It is sold at the best price which can be obtained in the market regardless of costs.
§ Mr. ChampionWill the rising price of petrol be taken into account in the Price Review now taking place?
Mr. AmoryThis element, as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary said in reply to an earlier Question, is an item which will be taken into consideration at the Annual Review.
§ Mr. BaldockIs my right hon. Friend aware that the horticultural industry, the one most affected by this, gets no benefit from the Price Review and is an industry where labour-saving appliances are particularly required and where most of the gadgets have to be driven by petrol and cannot be converted to using other fuels?
Mr. AmoryMy hon. Friend will agree that the horticultural industry obtains some benefit from some of the production grants.