§ 17. Mr. Fellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the level of capital investment in the horticultural industry for the latest available 12-month period compared with the previous five 12-month periods.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe most useful figures I can offer my hon. Friend are those showing the estimated cost of proposals approved for grant under the successive Horticulture Improvement Schemes. I am arranging for these to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. FellI thank my hon. Friend for those revealing figures. What does he intend to do to help British horticulture, which is in a serious state, if the Government should thrust this nation unwillingly into Europe, thereby crippling much of British horticulture?
§ Mr. StodartI would not for one moment accept the premise that anyone will be thrust unwillingly into Europe. I have already mentioned in reply to a previous Question the discussions which my right hon. Friend has said he is willing to have with the National Farmers' Union on this matter.
§ Following is the information:
§ Estimated cost of proposals approved under the United Kingdom Horticulture Improvement Schemes:
| £ | ||||
| 1965 | … | … | … | 4,523,000 |
| 1966 | … | … | … | 6,055,000 |
| 1967 | … | … | … | 10,398,000 |
| 1968 | … | … | … | 13,283,000 |
| 1969 | … | … | … | 14,379,000 |
| 1970 | … | … | … | 14,733,000 |
§ Note: The Scheme introduced in 1966 was considerably wider in scope than the previous Scheme.