§ 8. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what incentives he will offer to farmers to enable them to increase production, thereby reducing the amount of foreign exchange currently used for food imports.
46. Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what commodities and in what amount he 1055 estimates there is scope for replacing imports by increased home production.
§ Mr. PeartAgriculture's contribution to import saving will be considered at the forthcoming Annual Review. I am afraid I cannot anticipate the Review decisions.
§ Mr. DanceWhilst we all recognise that this is a trading country, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman would agree that agriculture should be encouraged to increase its production by 10 per cent. to 20 per cent.? Is he not further aware that there are countries, particularly in Europe, which send to us in agricultural exports more than they take from us in other imports?
§ Mr. PeartI accept broadly what the hon. Member has said. I recognise that agriculture makes and has made a substantial net contribution to the balance of payments and that it should continue to do so.