§ 28. Mr. Nottasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many people with practical experience of Cornish agriculture and horticulture are represented on the Agricultural Sub-Committee of the South-West Regional Economic Planning Council.
§ Mr. NottIs the Minister aware that there is great dissatisfaction amongst the farming community in the South-West that there is not a single person with practical farming experience on the Agricultural Sub-Committee, particularly from Cornwall, and that it is preparing a report on the future of agriculture in the South-West? Will he look into this straight away?
§ Mr. ShoreI am always willing to look at this, but it is not practicable, within the limited membership of a Regional Council, to cater for every industry and every interest in every county. To make the point a little stronger, although agriculture is a very important part of the Cornish economy, it accounts for only about 7 per cent. of the total employed.