§ Miss Wrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the effect on the price of farm produce in the United Kingdom of re-rating agricultural land and buildings; and whether any such rise or fall in prices would have an effect on the operation of the European common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. WigginThe Government have at present no plans to re-rate agricultural land and buildings, and such an estimate could only be produced at disproportionate cost. The overall effect of re-rating, however, would be a reduction in agricultural output because of reduced investment, more imports and higher food prices.