§ Mr. Edgeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to ensure that non-agricultural pressures on the resources of the countryside do not affect his policy of increasing home food production.
§ Mr. John SilkinI have invited my Advisory Council for Agriculture and Horticulture in England and Wales to examine this question. It will advise on96W ways in which my Department could best contribute towards reconciling the national requirement for economic agricultural and horticultural production with the development of other national objectives in the countryside in the light of public interest in recreation and access and in conservation and amenity. In carrying out its inquiry, the council will naturally be consulting the major organisations and interested bodies concerned.