§ Mr. Pymasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to horticultural growers, in BTUs, of heavy fuel oil in Great Britain; and what information he has about the cost of gas in Holland after allowing for the Dutch subsidy.
§ Mr. StrangPrices paid by growers vary according to individual circumstances. The estimate of the general level of cost of heavy fuel oil to growers in Great Britain is 10.9p per therm. Under the standard contract between the national gas company, Gasunie, and Dutch growers using more than 170,000 cubic metres of gas, the price is equivalent to about 5.8p per therm. Growers must also pay a standing charge of FL 4,440 (£863) per annum. I understand it is the policy of the Dutch Government to bring gas and oil prices into line. As far as I am aware, there is no subsidy on the cost of gas to Dutch growers.