§ 23. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to provide increased home production to offset any payment under the levy payable if the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PeartIn the Review decisions announced last week I have given the industry the means to achieve the selective expansion programme. The programme was designed to meet our present situation, but, whether we join the European Economic Community or not, selective import saving based on increasing productivity is a sound agricultural policy for this country.
§ Mr. Godman IrvineIn the first 15 paragraphs of the White Paper dealing with the Review which the right hon. Gentleman announced last week there are 15 different examples of decline. Does not that prove that this Review was very much overdue?
§ Mr. PeartIf the hon. Gentleman says that the Review was overdue, I assume that he welcomes it. I am glad that he is more objective than his hon. Friends.
§ 53. Mr. Urwinasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the effects upon the agricultural industry in the Northern Region, consequent upon British entry into the European Economic Community.
§ 55. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has now made of the possible effects upon Welsh agriculture of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. PeartWhile some broad assessment can be made of the likely effect on particular types of farming of entry into the Community, it is not possible to give estimates of the effects on a regional basis. This is because there are wide variations in the types of farming practised even within a single county.
§ Mr. UrwinDoes not my right hon. Friend's answer heavily emphasise the necessity for intensive research in depth into all aspects of our entering the Common Market before an official application is made?
§ Mr. PeartI assure my hon. Friend that the Department would assess very carefully what could happen if we had to take this step.
§ Mr. MorganMay I ask my right hon. Friend to give this matter his urgent and detailed attention as any association of the conditions of Welsh agriculture on a common par with those of England would give a very misleading picture and probably cause great injustice to Welsh agriculture?
§ Mr. PeartI accept that there are considerable differences—for example, the concentration on milk production—between farming in Wales and the type of farming carried on in the eastern parts of the country. We bear these differences in mind.
§ 54. Mr. Blakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates will be the effect of accession to the European Common Market on British growers of lettuce and tomatoes.
§ Mr. PeartAssuming no change in present E.E.C. arrangements, our tariffs on imports of lettuce and tomatoes from the rest of the enlarged Community would in due course be abolished; our imports 1702 from non-members would bear the common external tariff; and our domestic production would be subject to the Community's regulations providing for common standards of quality, for aid in setting up growers' co-operatives, and—in the case of tomatoes—for support buying. Increased competition following the abolition of tariffs could be expected to result in some reduction in profitability.
§ Mr. BlakerWould the Minister give an assurance that in any negotiations, whether before or after entry into the Common Market, he will do his utmost to ensure the livelihood of such growers—for example, by transitional arrangements?
§ Mr. PeartI am glad that the hon. Gentleman is aware of the problems, unlike many of his right hon. Friends.