§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has received of the cost of damage to livestock and crops caused by the recent severe weather in the Yorkshire and Humberside region; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerNo assessment of the cost is yet available. Widespread flooding followed by snow falls and severe frost damaged some winter cereal, oil seed rape and horticultural crops, and there were also livestock losses, though these seem to have been relatively low. It will, however, be some time before the full extent of the damage cost is known.
I have every sympathy with those who have suffered loss in Yorkshire and elsewhere. I have been much impressed by the determination of all those who work in agriculture to overcome the quite exceptional weather of recent weeks. The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service is ready to help wherever it can and priority will be given to applications under capital grant schemes for damage repair work.