§ 10. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much he estimates capital investment in agriculture will rise in 1969 in real terms as a percentage of 1968 figures.
§ Mr. John MackieSuch an estimate cannot be made with any precision. Investment is, however, rising strongly.
§ Mr. Godman IrvineIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that not only the farmers themselves but technical advisers on financial matters are satisfied 466 that there is no prospect of the capital being available which is required for the expansion programme?
§ Mr. MackieThat is just not so. Investment has been rising in real terms from an index of 183 in 1963 to 203 in 1968, and the figures which we see for this year suggest that it is rising at about that rate.