§ 13. Mr. R. W. Elliottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional costs will fall on to horticulturists during the current financial year as a result of the surcharge on fuel oil.
§ 46. Mr. Alisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional costs will be incurred by the agricultural industry during the current financial year as a result of the surcharge on fuel oil.
§ Mr. John MackieIt is estimated that in the financial year ending 31st March, 1968, the 2d. per gallon surcharge on fuel oil may increase agricultural and horticultural costs by about £2½ million of which about £0.4 million relates to oil used for glasshouse heating.
§ Mr. ElliottWill the hon. Gentleman make quite sure that the officials in his Department looking into the effects of 419 devaluation on the agriculture industry alone will take into account the extra burden which the hard-pressed horticultural industry will experience through devaluation?
§ Mr. MackieYes.
§ Mr. RidleySince not even this Government would suggest burning coal in agricultural tractors, why can they not remove the fuel oil tax altogether from agriculture?
§ Mr. MackieAgriculture has to bear its fair share of any increases like these which, because of the Middle East situation, are almost unavoidable. For agriculture, they are taken into account in the Price Review.
§ Mr. GodberIn that last Answer, is the hon. Gentleman telling us that horticulture will be reimbursed in the next Price Review?
§ Mr. MackieThe hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) asked me specifically about agriculture, and I replied about agriculture. If the right hon. Member for Grantham (Mr. Godber) is asking me about horticulture now, I am prepared to answer him. The right hon. Gentleman obviously did not listen to what his hon. Friend asked me. There is the Horticulture Improvement Scheme to help the horticulture industry, and it is taking tremendous advantage of it to the tune of about £5½ million a year.