21. Mr. Fell asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much, expressed as a percentage, agricultural output has increased since 1970.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAgricultural net product is estimated to have increased by about 5 per cent. per annum between 1969–70 and 1971–72.
§ Mr. FellIf, as I think will be the case, my hon. Friend is able to give a favourable answer to my supplementary question, will he please congratulate the farmers? How does this compare with the similar situation under the last Government?
§ Mr. StodartI would certainly congratulate the whole of the farming community on the great efforts they have made, and that includes the agricultural workers. It is highly significant that the average increase between 1964 and 1970 was 1 per cent. Under this Government it is 5 per cent., and that is very largely due to the fact that the reviews by my right hon. Friend who is now Lord President of the Council stimulated confidence and dispelled the gloom and despair left by right hon. Gentlemen opposite.