§ 48. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to increase agricultural exports; and what success has been achieved in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. PeartThe full range of Government services to exporters is available to the agricultural industry, and my Department works closely with the Departments responsible. Exports of agricultural and food products in the year ended May, 1966, were worth £316 million—£38 million up on the previous year.
Last week I presided over the launching of the British Agricultural Export Council, which has been set up by the industry with encouragement and advice from me and my Department.
§ Mr. IrvineHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of in, creasing our agricultural representatives in embassies abroad?
§ Mr. PeartI will consider the whole question of attachés, but, where we have no attachés, obviously our commercial counsellors help considerably.