HC Deb 02 March 1966 vol 725 cc1274-5
10. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he proposes to meet the need in Great Britain now for an increasing supply of home-produced beef.

Mr. Hoy

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) on 23rd February.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I do not have that reply with me, but that it seems basically more sensible to produce the additional beef that we must have from our beef herds rather than from our dairy herds, and that this will require more encouragement both for hill producers and lowland producers than is being given at the moment?

Mr. Hoy

This is what we hope to do. This matter will be settled in the Price Review. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be delighted to know that the beef breeding herd is expanding and that there has been a large increase in calf retentions over the last two years.