HC Deb 13 May 1970 vol 801 cc1223-4
14. Lord Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the differential in the price of feeding stuffs in Northern Ireland compared with Great Britain.

Mr. Hoy

The differential in 1969–70 is estimated at some £1 million.

Lord Hamilton

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a very serious disparity, which has been allowed to drift owing to the ineptitude of the Government, in spite of the fact that a detailed analysis of this problem was carried out in 1968?

Mr. Hoy

We have noticed the gap, but it has nothing to do with ineptitude. The gap is narrowing a little. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would have remembered that there are also disparities even within Great Britain itself.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Can the right hon. Gentleman give his estimate of the increased costs of feeding stuffs in Ulster if the United Kingdom enters the Common Market?

Mr. Hoy

No, I should not like to hazard a guess.