HC Deb 25 June 1974 vol 875 cc408-9W
Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that horticulturists, nurserymen and owners of commercial greenhouses now find that even with the rebate of 6p per gallon on heavy fuel oil up to the end of June and 4p per gallon until the end of the year, their fuel costs are still 80 per cent. up on last season, if he will take further steps to assist the industry

Mr. Buchan

The subsidy which my right hon. Friend announced to the House on 11th April was never intended to cover the full increases in the costs of fuel which occurred last winter, but to mitigate their sudden effects and give growers time to adjust to the higher energy costs they will have to bear in the future. There have been no changes in fuel prices since my announcement. We have no plans for further support measures for this sector.