HC Deb 26 July 1967 vol 751 cc733-4
43. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the expansion of consumer demand within the programme of the National Plan.

Mr. John Mackie

For the purposes of the selective expansion programme, the in crease in demand for temperate foods between 1964 and 1970 was assessed at £200 million at 1964 import prices. This estimate may need to be adjusted, but we see no reason for any alteration in the objectives of the selective expansion programme.

Mr. Hunt

Is it not the case that consumer demand is relatively static? Does not this mean that, with the complete stagnation of agricultural output, utter nonsense has been made of the predictions in the National Plan?

Mr. Mackie

No. I do not know where the hon. Gentleman got his information from. We certainly have not got it. If he cares to supply it to us, we will look at it.