§ 18. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he proposes to take to control the marketing of this year's home-grown early potato crop.
§ Mr. BrewisWhy did the Secretary of State for Scotland say in Monday's debate, "… we have a voluntary arrangement"——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. No quotations in Questions.
§ Mr. BrewisDo the Government have a voluntary arrangement in relation to imports from Cyprus? If so, what are its terms?
§ Mr. HoyI can say that one country entered into a voluntary agreement to restrict its exports to this country. It could be just as bad for that country if there were a collapse in the market price as it would be for our own people, and this is what we are trying to prevent.
§ Mr. StodartIs the hon. Gentleman confirming by that answer what the Secretary of State said on Monday, and that that country is Cyprus?
§ Later——
§ Mr. GodberOn a point of order. I wish to raise with you, Mr. Speaker, a 469 point which arises out of an earlier Question this afternoon but which I have delayed until now in accordance with your normal wish that we do not impinge on Question Time.
In answer to Question No. 18 the Joint Parliamentary Secretary gave an answer which appeared entirely to contradict something said by the Secretary of State for Scotland in this House on Monday. May we have guidance, Sir, on what can be done to obtain clarification on which of the two statements is the true statement?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf Mr. Speaker had to give guidance on the need for all politicians to be consistent in their answers he would have a very hard task. It is not the duty of Mr. Speaker to reconcile the answers of Ministers.
§ Mr. GodberThere is here a deliberate contradiction. May I invite the Minister to clear it up now?
§ Mr. HoyI can clear it up. I was not certain whether the name of the country had been mentioned and I wanted to confirm it before making it public. It certainly was Cyprus. That is all I wish to confirm.