17. Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that the farm-gate price of milk in Northern Ireland should be on a par with the rest of the United Kingdom after 1st January 1978.
§ Mr. DunnMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I have been considering this complex problem for some time and are continuing to do so. It is our intention to take all practicable steps, consistent with financial constraints and the common agricultural policy, to ensure the continued prosperity of the Northern Ireland dairy industry.
Mr. RossIs the Minister aware that disaster is now only a month away, and similar bland answers to that which he has given today have been given for several months now? Is it not time that he came up with something concrete?
§ Mr. DunnI assure the hon. Gentleman that we shall do all in our power to conclude our considerations on this matter. We hope to make a statement as early as we can.