HL Deb 20 June 1974 vol 352 cc1031-2
LORD O'HAGAN

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 how they would ensure that the British people had enough to eat if the United Kingdom left the E.E.C.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, the United Kingdom currently produces something over 50 per cent. of its total foodstuffs and about 70 per cent. of those foods which can be produced reasonably economically in this country. It is the Government's policy to encourage the maximum economic production in the United Kingdom, and discussions are at present being held with the interests concerned on the future of the agricultural industry. Nevertheless, we shall continue to be dependent on imports for a significant proportion of our supplies. Some of these are likely to come from other Members of the Community, whether we are Members or not, but considerable quantities of imports must also come from third countries with climates more suited to produce the foodstuffs concerned.

LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, does the noble Lord recall that in a Written Answer to me on May 23, he listed as the four most important producers of agricultural products imported into this country the Member States of the Common Market? In order to ensure safe and cheap supplies of agricultural products to the British people would it not be best for us to stay on good relations with these major sources of our food?

LORD STRABOLGI

Certainly, my Lords; we wish to remain on good rela- tions with all countries. But both the Irish Republic and Denmark, two of the countries the noble Lord had in mind, whether or not they remain in, will I am sure wish to retain the United Kingdom market.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, could we not have as an added insurance the encouragement of fish farming in this country?

LORD STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords; most certainly.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, did not the noble Lord say,"Whether or not we are in "? Is it really necessary to be so doubtful and to cause depression in Europe?

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, the Government approach has been developed in some detail this week by my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture at the meeting of the Council of Ministers and, indeed, a Statement was repeated in this House by my noble friend Lord Goronwy-Roberts yesterday and a copy placed in the Library.

LORD HANKEY

My Lords, is not the conclusion from the noble Lord's Answer that if we were not in the Common Market we should still be dependent to a considerable degree on foodstuffs from the Common Market, among other sources, but we should be without influence in Brussels to make sure of the conditions in which we got them?

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, this is a question of what can be negotiated.

LORD MAELOR

My Lords, would not the Minister agree that this question has been answered by Robbie Burns: Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit."?

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