§ 23. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the long-term ability of British agriculture to maintain and extend the proportion of food produced at home in Great Britain, in view of recent estimates of the expected increase in population by the end of the century.
§ Mr. PeartAny statement about the end of the century must be speculative. Under the selective expansion programme home agriculture is expected to meet a major part of the additional demand for food by 1970, and I believe it should be well within the capacity of the industry to make a similar contribution in the longer term.
§ Mr. NewensIs my right hon. Friend aware that, in view of the expected increase in world population during that period, it will become necessary—I believe that it already is—for Britain to plan to produce a large proportion of her food at home as a contribution to relieving the ever-increasing demand on world food supplies?
§ Mr. PeartWe certainly accept that, and that is why we envisage a selective expansion programme until 1970. I recognise that the industry can make an even further contribution beyond that.
§ Mr. JoplingIn view of the danger to the Treasury of increasing agricultural production at home, would the right hon. Gentleman consider changing to a system of levies, a system which would be much more satisfactory?
§ Mr. PeartThe hon. Gentleman must recognise his fanaticism for his own party's levy system, which would impose hardship on the consumer. I hope that he will bear that in mind.