§ 10. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the state of the agriculture industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Walker)The Government continue to give substantial financial support to the industry: grants and subsidies paid directly to Welsh farmers amounted to an estimated £108 million in 1986–87. I welcome the recovery in farming incomes in Wales in 1986. The changes made in the monetary compensatory amounts agreed last week will also benefit Welsh agriculture.
§ Mr. HowellsWill the Secretary of State give an assurance to Welsh farmers that he will go to Brussels on their behalf to negotiate for an extra allocation of milk quotas for those young farmers in Wales who would like to start dairy farming on their own?
§ Mr. WalkerAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I have many years' experience of negotiating in Brussels. I will certainly collaborate with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in any way possible to assist our negotiations.