§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the effect of the transport and lorry drivers' strikes on the Scottish economy and if, in particular, he will comment on the effects on the fishing and agriculture industries.
Mr. Milan:The road haulage dispute is having widespread effects on Scottish industry. The flow of essential supplies is being seriously impeded, the degree of interruption varying considerably as between different areas, industries and companies.
The main effects on agriculture have been in intensive production sectors, where supplies of animal feeding stuffs have been reduced. Liquid milk supplies are satisfactory. Store and fatstock markets have continued to operate but some animals have been held back from sale or slaughter. The export market is greatly reduced.
Virtually all landings of fish have been sold but at lower prices than normal. Although markets have been cleared, merchants and processors who use road haulage contractors are experiencing difficulties. A few processing plants have closed.