§ 2. Sir David Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy towards the production of wool, from British farms.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Donald Thompson)Our policy is to encourage the production and improvement of British wool, which can form a valuable part of sheep producers' returns and is in demand on domestic and world markets.
§ Sir David PriceWill my hon. Friend acknowledge that Britain is the largest producer of raw wool in Europe, but that there is still a potential for further increase if it is rightly encouraged? Will he also accept that, environmentally, sheep are nature's best lawnmowers?
§ Mr. ThompsonOriginal lawnmowers, I should imagine. I acknowledge that the British sheep and wool industry is the most important and most significant in Europe. Our exports of wool are increasing. For example we export £8 million of wool more a year to Japan than we did three or four years ago. I thank my hon. Friend for his question.
§ Mr. RandallIs the Minister aware that manufacturers of high quality woollen products are having difficulty in 611 obtaining raw materials, such as angora, cashmere and mohair, which come mainly from China? What steps will he take to encourage agricultural diversification in this area?
§ Mr. ThompsonSome firms in my constituency use these fine wools, and I acknowledge that occasionally they have difficulty getting those wools, but there was diversification into these wools without encouragement from us. We are now encouraging it. At present there is a strategic plan on this matter at Reading university and we hope increasingly to supply our market for fine wools from this country.