§ 1. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the glasshouse section of the horticulture industry in the light of its current problems.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Gavin Strang)The prospects for all sectors of the horticulture industry are currently being examined with the farmers' unions. I hope to inform the House of the results of this examination in the near future.
§ Mr. NewensIs my right hon. Friend aware that British glasshouse growers are still being obliged to pay more for oil than their Dutch competitors pay for gas to provide the equivalent amount of energy? Is he aware, further, that the British growers have been to the British gas industry but have been informed that the gas industry cannot provide continuity 678 of supplies of gas throughout the year, which means that it is not possible to rectify the present situation? Is not this totally unsatisfactory, and is it not vital that something should be done to stimulate and help this very important industry?
§ Mr. StrangMy hon. Friend has raised two points. On the first, I can assure him that the Government attach great importance to the Dutch Government's policy of equalising the prices of gas and oil. On my hon. Friend's second point, I understand that in recent months there has been a change in the position of British Gas in that it is now in principle prepared to supply gas to glasshouse growers. I can assure my hon. Friend that if there is any help which my Ministry can give, especially in relation to the technical aspects, I hope that both he and his growers will not hesitate to approach us on them.
Mr. WellsIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that the lack of continuity of supply and the lack of reliability of gas to which the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) referred are really the cause of the anxiety? The willingness of British Gas is neither here nor there. What concerns growers is the lack of assurance that the gas will be there every frosty night. Can the hon. Gentleman say when we shall have the outcome of the review to which he referred?
§ Mr. StrangOn the hon. Gentleman's first point, I take his observation and we shall look at this. On his second point, we intend to bring forward the results of the review next month.