§ 2. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the 1969 harvest in the South-West and in the country as a whole.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. Anderson) on 4th November.
In the South-West the situation has been broadly similar to that in the country generally, with a particularly marked increase in cereal yields.
§ Mr. DigbyWill the Minister bear in mind that in the South-West we have suffered from a succession of pretty bad harvests, and that although this year's is more favourable to us we have great problems in cereal production in that part of the world?
§ Mr. HughesThe hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that the drop in cereal acreage in the South-West should be more than offset by the increased yields of cereals. In his own county of Dorset, for example, barley yields are well up on last year. But I accept that individuals have suffered not only in his county but perhaps more so in other parts of the country, and I think that the 1970 Price Review is the right place to consider the position.