§ 4. Mr. Kinseythe Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what difficulties the agricultural industry is experiencing in harvesting soft fruit, &c., due to demands for labour.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe warm dry weather in June and the first half of July shortened the season for some crops and made it more difficult for growers to obtain sufficient labour for picking. The steady growth in "pick-your-own" sales compensated for this 'to some extent.
§ Mr. KinseyMy hon. Friend recognises that the agricultural industry, particularly close to large cities where it competes with high wages, is experiencing difficulty in finding labour. I am told that one-sixth—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon Member must put his point in the form of a question.
§ Mr. KinseyI am leading to a question, Mr. Speaker. I am told that one-sixth goes in labour costs. Is my hon. Friend considering the question of mechanising harvesting and seeing what can be done to bring down this cost?
§ Mr. StodartA mechanical harvester for blackcurrants is now available and is commercially on the market. Research is being done into the mechanical picking of raspberries and strawberries.