§ 12. Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what effect he expects the recent dairy settlement to have on employment in the industry in Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsNo forecast can be made. It will be for all sectors of the industry to make decisions about their own enterprises. Quotas have now been issued and arrangements for special cases will be announced as soon as possible. We have announced arrangements for easing the burden on small producers by buying up quota from outgoers and reallocating it.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that initial estimates suggest that 2,000 farmers will be taken out of the dairy industry in Wales? Does he recognise that that sacrifice is being made to allow other European countries to expand their dairy industries, and that insult will be added to injury when dairy products from Ireland are imported into Wales? If the Secretary of State has betrayed his own constituency and political supporters in this way, what hope is there for the rest of the people of Wales?
§ Mr. EdwardsI do not recognise the figure of 2,000. It is a figment of the hon. Gentleman's imagination. The Community as a whole is seeking to reduce surpluses throughout the Community as a whole. I am certain that the scheme that we have announced for small producers will be of particular benefit in Wales. It is right to redistribute milk from any producers who go out of business initially to the smaller producers, who are the backbone of the industry in Wales.