§ 2. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has made any studies on the impact of consultancy fees on small farmers.
§ Mrs. FennerI have recently commissioned an independent survey designed to provide information by farming type and size on the industry's current and future use of advisory and related services.
§ Mr. RossDoes the Minister accept that the work of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service over the years has been much appreciated by agriculturists in. general? When does she expect to introduce the proposed scale of charges? Will she give us an assurance that the charges will not be unnecessarily high and will not include bureaucratic, fastidious extras?
§ Mrs. FennerProfessor Bell, in his report. made a point about the excellence of ADAS, but recommended that the beneficiaries of the services provided by ADAS should contribute to the cost of those services. Detailed work on the implementaion of Professor Bell's report is in hand, and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a further statement on progress before the summer recess.
Mr. Andy StewartDoes my hon. Friend agree that last year alone we spent £53 million on agricultural education and another £8 million on farm training supported by the agricultural training board? Does she agree that it is a misconceived belief held by Opposition Members that all farmers are thick and welcome such unsolicited advice?
§ Mrs. FennerI am sure that our advice and training services are excellent and of great help to our agriculture industry.