HC Deb 11 February 1970 vol 795 cc1237-9
11. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he now proposes to increase livestock production in order to secure the import saving of £160 million per year.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

Progress under the selective expansion programme is now being considered in the Annual Review.

Mr. Turton

Has the Minister noticed that, following his announcement about import saving, in 1969 imports of meat rose by 50,000 tons and the quantity of home-produced meat, according to the statistics, fell by 60,000 tons? This raises the suspicion that the Minister's policy has not been very satisfactory?

Mr. Hughes

I gave the statistics in the debate we had a fortnight ago. My concern is that the objectives of the selective expansion programme which I announced in November, 1968, should be fully achieved. The right hon. Gentleman will know that I was dealing with the period to 1972–73. I have indicated that the beef herd is expanding broadly in line with objectives. Good progress is being made on pork and bacon. We have taken special measures in relation to bacon with the new market sharing understanding. I agree that there are difficulties in relation to cereals. These are matters that we must discuss in the review. Broadly, I am hopeful that we shall attain our targets in 1972–73.

Mr. Maclennan

Is it not significant that my right hon. Friend has not mentioned sheep? There is no question but that the Government's selective expansion programme is not being met in regard to sheep. It is vital for the hills and uplands that urgent measures be taken to inject capital into this sector.

Mr. Hughes

I should be the last to under-estimate the importance of sheep. The selective expansion programme was based on the "Little Neddy" report on agriculture. Sheep were not chosen by the "Little Neddy" or by the Government as a commodity for expansion. However, there has been a decline in the breeding herd, and this is causing me some worry. The policy is to check and offset this decline. Again, this is clearly a matter which must be considered in the review.

Mr. Stodart

I am glad on this occasion to hear that the Minister is worried. Is not the sheep sector, where imports account for over 50 per cent. of consumption, the place where expansion is worth while at home? Why were imports of lamb in 1969 5 per cent. by weight above what they were in the previous year?

Mr. Hughes

A balance must be held between home production and imports. Regard must be had to farmers' costs and to consumer prices. We are on an expansion course. I am satisfied that we are on the right course. When right hon. and hon. Members opposite were in power they imported large quantities of meat year by year and did nothing to regulate the market.

Mr. Farr

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. How does an hon. Member set about getting corrected a completely inaccurate statement made by a Minister?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is a point of comment, not a point of order.

Mr. Farr rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. There are a lot of agricultural Questions. The hon. Gentleman is keen on agriculture. I hope that we can get on with the Questions.

Mr. Farr

My point of order arises because the Minister stated that the selective expansion programme did not cater for the expansion of sheep. That is completely wrong factually, inasmuch as the selective expansion programme called for an expansion of sheep production. So the Minister's statement was a gross inaccuracy.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman did not take notice of my observation. That is not a point of order. We have lost one Question.