HL Deb 12 July 1978 vol 394 cc1592-5

3.3 p.m.

Viscount HANWORTH

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 why, in view of the economic problems which this country still faces, they do not give more priority to promoting greater self-sufficiency, particularly in the supply of food, timber and other indigenous products which are capable of an increased yield.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, increased self-sufficiency can only contribute to solving our economic problems if the additional production is likely to be competitive with our imports. Against that criterion, we are promoting the efficient exploration and utilisation of our energy resources; we are continuing to encourage the efficiency and development of our agricultural and forestry industries, and we are endeavouring to negotiate a fair share of stocks for our fishing industry.

Viscount HANWORTH

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply.

Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEY

My Lords, I should like to ask the noble Lord whether, in mentioning the fishing industry, he also had in mind the fish farming industry, which needs a good deal of help and, so far, has had no very great encouragement from the Government?

Lord STRABOLGI

No, my Lords, I cannot allow the noble Baroness to get away with that. The Government continue to assist the industry by funding a substantial programme of research and development amounting to over £1 million, which in our view is the most appropriate form of help.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, as timber was referred to in the Question, may I ask whether any progress has been made not only in providing timber for the future by growing it on the cuttings of motorways but also in making the motorways look rather more attractive?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I think that is rather a specialised question but, on forestry in general, I can say that the Government investment in timber production through the Forestry Commission continues to increase in line with the policy set out in 1972. Private forestry of course continues to benefit from favourable tax treatment.

Lord SANDYS

My Lords, can the Government tell us whether Food From Our Own Resources, Cmnd. 6020 of April 1975, still represents the Government's current position on agriculture and, if so, what progress have they made over grasslands, which formed the principal plank of their policy?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the Government's objectives were set out in the 1975 White Paper, as the noble Lord said, but that is being reviewed and it is hoped that the results of the review will be published in the autumn.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARY-LEBONE

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell me whether the Government have had the same difficulty as I found when I was representing science nearly 20 years ago, in persuading the Treasury that quite apart from the financial benefits, forestry is of genuine advantage to the ecology of this country and something in which we all ought to take an interest, despite the long-term nature of the financial returns?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords, I agree with the noble and learned Lord. Indeed, grants to private forestry have been increased and I am glad to say that the present Finance Bill, which will come before your Lordships shortly, extends business relief to forestry at the full rate of 50 per cent.

Lord MACKIE of BENSHIE

My Lords, will the review being undertaken by the Government of the White Paper promoting self-sufficiency in food production take account of the exchange rate or the artificial rate of the green pound, and when may we expect that review?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the Government have agreed to a number of devaluations of the green pound by which EEC farm support prices are converted into sterling, and will keep the level under constant review. Of course we have to balance the interests of producers and consumers.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, before my noble friend starts planting trees along the motorways will he bear in mind that the roots of those trees will grow and that they might cause subterranean damage to the surface of the highway?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I will certainly take note of what my noble friend has said.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, in reporting on the consideration of this matter, in view of the very widespread disfigurement of the country by the unfortunate elm disease (which requires some form of subsidy to clear the dead trees, which it would be difficult to arrange) would it not be possible to formulate a plan which would tie in the taking away of the dead elm trees with the planting of new trees?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, that is something which I am sure the Forestry Commission have in hand. If the noble Lord will allow me to say so, it is a slightly different question from the original one.