§ 19. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the fuel subsidy to be paid to glasshouse growers has been fixed at a level designed to eliminate the cost advantage currently enjoyed by Dutch growers over efficient British producers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe rates of adaptation aid that we are giving to United Kingdom glasshouse growers towards the cost of heating oils in 1981 and 1982 are the absolute maximum that can be paid under European Commission guidelines.
§ Mr. NewensIs the Minister aware that it is not good enough to make the issue a party political shuttlecock, as he attempted to do earlier today by quite wrongly suggesting that the Labour Government gave no aid to the British glasshouse industry, when in fact they did? Does he appreciate that the present unprecedented crisis is recognised by both sides of the House, that a political knockabout on the issue is of no use and that something must be done if we are to retain a glasshouse industry?
§ Mr. WalkerI can understand that the hon. Gentleman might not like political knockabouts when they are so much to the disadvantage of his party. Our glasshouse growers will not be helped by his party's pledge to rerate agricultural land.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWhat stage has the issue reached before the European Commission?
§ Mr. WalkerThe Commission has given notice to the Dutch Government that unless they give appropriate assurances by 1 January the matter will be taken to the European Court.