§ 6. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he is now taking in consultation with the statistical department of the Board of Trade to establish the value of agricultural contributions to imports' substitution policies, including horticulture; and whether he will now place facts and figures in this connection, monthly, in the Library of the House, or publish in other concise and convenient form.
§ Mr. MackieNone, Sir; to collect, analyse and publish this information monthly would not be justified.
§ Sir G. NabarroIn view of the persistent procrastination and evasiveness of the Minister in this matter, can he say how Members of the House of Commons and the wider public outside are to gauge the efficacy or otherwise of the right hon. Gentleman's continuous boast that agriculture and horticulture are making a contribution to the import substitution policy, whereas they are evidently making none?
§ Mr. MackieI do not agree with the hon. Member's first premise. The long- 1366 term indications show what is happening in agricultural production, and to take monthly figures would be quite ridiculous.