HC Deb 28 November 1968 vol 774 cc699-700
11. Mr. Gibson-Watt

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will make a statement on Welsh agriculture.

Mrs. White

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Fred Evans) on 5th November, the Secretary of State will not be assuming his new functions until April of next year.—[Vol. 772, c. 63.]

Mr. Gibson-Watt

But that does not answer my Question. Would the Secretary of State, when he takes over these new functions, make a statement on Welsh agriculture because the statement made by his right hon. Friend the other day was very inadequate and meant very little to Welsh farmers?

Mrs. White

On the contrary, I should have thought that the reassurances given about meat and milk would be very satisfactory to farmers, not to mention the sheep. My right hon. Friend will not take over these functions before April next year.

Mr. Anderson

In view of the recent statement of the Minister of Agriculture about home agriculture's contribution to import substitution, would my hon. Friend think it appropriate to issue a statement on the contribution which Welsh agriculture can make?

Mrs. White

At the moment, that is still a matter for the Minister of Agriculture.