§ 8. Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)What recent discussions he has had about pig farming in Wales with the First Secretary. [108916]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Paul Murphy)I meet the First Secretary on a weekly basis and we discuss a wide range of issues.
§ Miss McIntoshHas the Secretary of State discussed the Prime Minister's commitment to find money for English pig farmers and will that money be extended to Welsh pig farmers? Does he share my concern that the new First Secretary may not be in post very long if such funds are not found?
§ Mr. MurphyI sincerely hope that the First Secretary will be in post for a very long time. The last thing that we want is another change. There are relatively few pig farmers in Wales and only 1.6 per cent. of Welsh farms are pig and poultry farms, but the work that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is undertaking on behalf of the pig industry applies just as much to Wales.