§ 21. Mr. Fellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of smallholders in Norfolk; and what are the numbers of farmers engaged in horticulture in Norfolk, giving separate figures for those engaged full time and for those engaged part time.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsAs at 31st March, 1961, the number of statutory smallholdings in Norfolk, provided by the County Council, was 1,267, of which 705 were full-time holdings and 562 were part-time holdings. In addition there are 7,000 to 8,000 small farms and holdings owned privately.
Of the total of 12,000 holdings in Norfolk covered by the agricultural censuses, as at June, 1960, some 4,400 grew horticultural crops, some as specialists and many in conjunction with other farm enterprises. I have no information as to how many of these are full time or part time.
§ Mr. FellI thank my hon. Friend for that very full Answer. I will not repeat the question asked earlier today by my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Mr. J. Wells), but may I ask my hon. Friend whether the Government are aware of the great worry among the small farmers, not only in Norfolk but all over the country, about the present negotiations?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI am fully aware of the feelings of my hon. Friends and of the small farmers, but I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend has said this afternoon.
§ Mr. BullardIn view of the enormous importance of the horticultural section of agriculture in Norfolk generally, will my hon. Friend bear in mind the misgivings which horticulturists have about the negotiations which are going on which seem to involve a temporary arrangement in the transitional period only as regards the future of horticultural policy in Europe? Will he ensure that there is something more permanent than a temporary transitional arrangement?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI am sure that my right hon. Friend has heard my hon. Friend's remarks and will bear them in mind.