§ 87. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the United Kingdom imported only 0.4 per cent. less food in 1966 than in 1965; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the 104W increase in home production necessary to lighten the load on the balance of payments.
§ Mr. John MackieI agree that there was little change in the volume of food and feedingstuffs imports between 1965 and 1966. The Answer to the second part of the Question is that the selective expansion programme calls on agriculture to save imports of food that can be grown in this country by meeting the major part of the increase in demand expected by 1970. At the current Annual Review we are examining the industry's progress towards the objectives of this programme and the resources needed to achieve it.