§ 19. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the proportion of total output of intensive livestock production units now coming from units subject to industrial rating.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesInformation is not available in a form which would permit such an estimate to be made.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIs there not evidence to suggest that the units being subjected to rating are among the most efficient in the country? Is it not anomalous that such units should be regarded as manufacturing units for the purpose of rating but not for that of S.E.T., R.E.P., or investment grant?
§ Mr. HughesThis is a difficult and complicated matter, but my right hon. Friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Scotland are responsible for rating, and Questions on the rights and wrongs of rating or on the prospect of changes in our rating legislation are for them to answer.
§ Mr. StodartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has admitted the urgency and complexity of the matter and has said that he is considering it? Can the Minister say whether he is responsible for the delay in getting this anomaly tidied up in respect of agricultural buildings?
§ Mr. HughesThat is an entirely unfair allegation to make, as the hon. Gentleman should know.