§ 25. Mr. Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give special assistance to the pig and poultry industries in Northern Ireland.
Mr. ButlerThe Government appreciate the difficulties currently faced by the pig and poultry industries due generally to over-supply and low market prices. However, special assistance is already made available to these industries in Northern Ireland. In 1982–83, taking these industries as a whole, this help was equivalent to more than the feed cost disadvantage of Northern Ireland relative to the west coast of Great Britain and it is also likely to exceed that disadvantage in 1983–84. My noble Friend has no plans to increase this assistance.