§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what discussions he has had regarding the need to provide finance for the expansion of the British Agricultural Export Council;
(2) when he expects to complete his consideration of the Strutt Report on agricultural exports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopThe proposal in the Report of the Advisory Council for Agriculture and Horticulture that there should be an increase in the financial resources of the British Agricultural Export Council is related to the fundamental recommendation in that report that a new central promotional body for agricultural exports should be established, based on the British Agricultural Export Council, and financed by a levy on the industry. It therefore falls to be considered with the recommendation as a whole, and, as my right hon. Friend announced in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Watkinson) on 25th May—[Vol. 912, c.154.]—we are seeking comments on them from industry and others concerned. We have asked for comments to be submitted not later than 27th August 1976.