HL Deb 22 February 1972 vol 328 cc391-2

2.40 p.m.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any changes are contemplated regarding the future role of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.]

LORD DENHAM

My Lords, my right honourable friend outlined the main functions of his Department in a White Paper (Cmnd. 4564) presented to Parliament in January, 1971. He indicated then that, in addition to the changes which he proposed to make and which are being introduced over the period to 1974, certain of its functions might need modification in the event that the United Kingdom entered the E.E.C. These modifications will follow as we adapt our support system to the Common Agricultural Policy. The Ministry will continue to play its part in shaping the wider issues of food, agricultural and fisheries policy, and in discharging its specific responsibilities towards consumers and the food, agricultural and fisheries industries within the wider context of our membership of the Communities.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that reply. May I assume from it that there is no intention on the part of the Government, in view of our entry into the Common Market and the importance of agriculture to this country, to allow the Ministry to be absorbed into or amalgamated with any other Government Department?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, My Lords, the noble Lord may assume that.

LORD NUNBURNHOLME

My Lords, in view of this country's entry into the Common Market, is it not essential that we have a strong Ministry of Agriculture to represent our interests and to contend with the other members of the E.E.C.?

LORD DENHAM

Yes, my Lords.