§ 6. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the total annual increase in the bill for imported animal feed, due to devaluation.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Hoy)Assuming a price increase of one-sixth, the landed cost of imported animal food would be increased by about £25 million. In practice, because of other factors, including substitution of home-produced materials, the increase should be less.
§ Mr. FarrCan the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Minister is fully aware of this significant added factor, the increase in costs, for beef producers? Would he bear it in mind at the Price Review?
§ Mr. HoyI am certain that those who act for the N.F.U. will have brought it to my right hon. Friend's attention.
§ Mr. GodberWill the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that at this Price Review, and thereafter, the Government will not be taking action to raise the cost of imported feedingstuffs through increasing minimum import prices? May we have an assurance that if they choose to do anything at all it will be through the levy system?
§ Mr. HoyThat is another question. The right hon. Gentleman's hon. Friend was asking what the approach was and I was telling him. There are two items in the agricultural programme which are compensated for automatically. Any other rises, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, are dealt with when the Annual Review is taking place.