§ 12. Mr. Monroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase he estimates will take place in the hill sheep flock this year, following the Government's announcement in November on the expansion of the industry.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesOver the past few seasons there have been steady increases in the hill flock in response to subsidy and price incentives. The 1969 Review decision supplementing the 1968 determination should reinforce this trend.
This spring has been a bad one for ewe losses in many hill areas; and it would not be wise to make predictions about flock numbers over the coming year.
§ Mr. MonroDoes the hon. Gentleman now realise that a 5 per cent. reduction in the amount of mutton imported would permit an increase of 1 million ewes in this country, and would not that be the right way both to solve this problem and to cut imports?
§ Mr. HughesAs the hon. Gentleman knows, we have an agreement with New Zealand. However, I am anxious to see a reasonable expansion of the hill flock. I think that the increase in the guaranteed price which was made this year of 1½d. per lb., in addition to last year's increase of 2½d. per lb., is the right sort of incentive to achieve the result we want.
§ Mr. HazellWould my right hon. Friend agree that it will be inadvisable to reduce imports of mutton until we can be satisfied that there is a sufficient increase in our sheep flocks?
§ Mr. HughesI agree with my hon. Friend that a balance must be held and that we must make certain that there is an adequacy of meat of good quality at reasonable prices for the British consumer.