HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 cc548-9
14. Mr. Wyn Roberts

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent recent shortages of agricultural supplies have affected prices to farmers.

Mr. John Silkin

There have been some increases in the price of some supplies, but it is difficult to give a general answer.

Mr. Roberts

Has the right hon. Gentleman made an estimate of the effect of the lorry drivers' settlement, which was more than 20 per cent., on farmers' costs? Will he promise that the settlement, and the likely high level of other settlements, will be taken into account?

Mr. Silkin

It would be quite impossible to make such an assessment. Indeed, it is all very confused, for while, for example, the price of eggs and potatoes—and of cereals, in a few areas—has undoubtedly risen, there has been no increase in the price of fertilisers, there has been no increase in the price of seeds and there has been no increase in the price of sprays. As I said in reply to an earlier question, some of the increases are due to the bad weather, anyway.

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