§ 15. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the increasing need, what steps he now intends to take to persuade the public to buy home-grown food wherever it is comparable in price and quality with food from overseas.
§ Mr. HoyLike the hon. Member, I strongly support the objective of persuading the public to buy home-grown food that is competitive with imported food. But I think that the initiative should remain with the various producer and other bodies that are already taking steps to achieve this objective.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the time has come when quite clearly only the Ministry and the Minister can take the initiative because these commodities and foods are outside the realm of marketing boards or any other organisation? It is high time that something was done about this.
§ Mr. HoyWe have done a considerable amount in recent times. I am thinking of the Apple and Pear Development Council, the Meat and Livestock Commission, the National Milk Publicity Council and so on. That kind of work can be done, and we are happy to cooperate, because obviously from every point of view we would rather see the people of Britain buying food and necessities which are produced within our own shores.