HC Deb 26 February 1969 vol 778 cc1704-6
23. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that the annual cost of food imports has increased by more than £200 million since 1960, he will now take further steps to encourage import substitution.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

We have already taken such steps through the introduction of the selective expansion programme after we took office and the extension of it which I announced in November last year. During this period the increase of home food production has, in fact, met a major part of the additional demand for those products which we can grow ourselves.

Mr. Mills

Does the Minister realise that I am not satisfied with this trend? Will he tell us of any other country which is importing so much food? Are we not like a man with a good garden with plenty of time and no money who goes to the end of the road and buys his food?

Mr. Hughes

The House has become accustomed to the hon. Member's tirades on this question. The figures for 1967 and 1968 show that the overall increase since 1960 in food which can be grown here was obtained from home production. This is a very good record indeed.

Sir G. Nabarro rose

——

Mr. Manuel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that two days ago—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. No hon. Member may complain if he is not called to ask a supplementary question.

Mr. Manuel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that two days ago the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) asked for more help for agriculture in underdeveloped countries? Is the hon. Member now complaining that their exports come here?

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is the Minister aware that consistently for months past I have been asking him to publish statistics showing the extent of import substitution? Will he now undertake to include in his White Paper following the Price Review full particulars of import substitution achieved, with the relevant statistical support ad valorem in money?

Mr. Hughes

It has been made abundantly clear that over the last few years agriculture has made a very important import substitution contribution which is vital to the economy. I shall consider the hon. Member's request.

29. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the increase in food imports in 1968; what percentage of such increase was from Commonwealth, European Free Trade Association, European Economic Community and Council for Mutual Economic Assistance countries, and from the United States of America, respectively; and what decrease he estimates will be made in 1969 in accordance with the Government's policy of saving imports by means of increased home production.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

As my reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. AS to the last part of the Question, I cannot give an estimate of food imports for 1969.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

In view of the disturbing increase in food imports, which conflicts with the Government's stated policy, is the Minister satisfied that he has a proper long-term strategy for British agriculture and, in particular, that confidence is being given British farmers that their market will not be allowed to collapse for want of a proper phasing of imports?

Mr. Hughes

In reply to a previous question I referred to the import-saving contribution which agriculture has made. The hon. Gentleman must get this in the right perspective. Imports of temperate-type foods last year increased by £50 million, but all of this was due to higher prices. The additional demand for temperate-type food was met by home production. This is precisely what we are trying to do.

Following are the figures:

The increase in the value of food * imports between 1967 and 1968 was £103 million. The change in the value of food imports from each of the sources requested expressed as a percentage of the total increase of £103 million, is as follows:

Per cent.
Commonwealth + 35
European Free Trade Area + 14
European Economic Community + 19
Council for Mutual Economic Assistance + 2
United States of America −6
* Taken as Section O of the Overseas Trade Accounts (food and live animals).