§ 140. Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution British agriculture is making to the balance of payments problem by its increased productivity; whether he will give figures in monetary terms showing this for the past four years; and what is his estimate for the next two years.
§ Mr. John MackieI regret that precise estimates cannot be made. There is no doubt however that, as the following table indicates, the growth of agricultural production in recent years has helped substantially to contain the growth of imports. Under the selective expansion programme the industry is expected to make a further contribution to import saving by meeting a major part of the increasing demand for temperate foodstuffs.
a deficit in each of six consecutive years, he has postponed the operation of Section 3(2) of the Civic Restaurants Act 1947 as respects that deficit; and in authorising such postponement, what conditions he has imposed.
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§ Mr. John MackieMy right hon. Friend postponed for one year the operation of Section 3(2) of the Civic Restaurants Act 1947, in respect of the civic restaurants of the county borough of Middlesbrough because he considered that they would, within a reasonable period, be able to defray expenditure out of income. The conditions on which the postponement was granted related to reductions in capital expenditure, avoidance of forward commitments, and the taking of all necessary steps to ensure a profit.