34. Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now make a statement on his long-term plans and policies for agriculture in Northern Ireland, with special reference to the effect of the "Green Pound" on the relative positions of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Government's policy for the future of agricultural production in the United Kingdom as a whole, including Northern Ireland, is set out in the recently published White Paper 'Food From Our Own Resources". I will continue to give special consideration390W to particular problems arising in Northern Ireland. One effect of the differential between the value of the United Kingdom's and the Irish Republic's "Green Pound" is to encourage the movement of pigs and cattle from Northern Ireland to the Republic. I have nothing to add to the answer given to a Question by the hon. Member on that subject on 17th April.