§ 4. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase in home production he expects the horticultural industry to achieve by 1972.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Hoy)The efficiency of the horticultural industry is mounting rapidly and I expect it to play its full part in the agricultural expansion programme 1376 that my right hon. Friend announced on 12th November last. Precise estimates for horticultural crops are not practicable because of the uncertainties of weather, consumer demand and technical innovation.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise that that is a very optimistic statement? Have not the difficulties and costs of the horticultural sector increased steadily since this Government came into power? What provision has his right hon. Friend made in the present Finance Bill to alleviate this position? Will he give a specific answer?
§ Mr. HoyI do not think that there is any room for pessimism. Horticulture is capable of substantial contributions to the economy. If we look for signs of progress, work aided by grants carried out in England and Wales, under the horticultural improvements scheme, since 1966 is estimated to have cost over £28 million—more than three quarters of this in the glasshouse section of the industry.
§ Sir G. NabarroI am not interested in investment. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am the Parliamentary representative of the Vale of Evesham, and that all the growers in the Vale of Evesham are fed up to the back teeth with this Government, because their markets for British produce are systematically destroyed by foreign produce dumped at the height of the season? What is he doing about it?
§ Mr. HoyI am sorry to hear that the hon. Gentleman is not interested in investment. If he is not, the industry is. Its share has been growing considerably, and we want to see it expanding. That is why the £28 million has been spent.