§ 72. Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has formed of the increased costs of horticulturists in Northern Ireland as a result of the increase in petrol tax.
§ Mr. John MackieMy right hon. Friend's reply on 18th November to the right hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Soames) and the hon. Member for Rye (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine) attributed about £¼ million extra costs to the horticultural industry in the whole of the United Kingdom. The value of horticultural output in Northern Ireland is about 2 per cent. of the total horticultural output, so it can be taken that the increase 179W in Northern Ireland growers' costs will be very small indeed.
The Marquess of Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now review the level of the Remoteness Grant for Northern Ireland agriculture to take into account the £200,000 estimated by the Ministry of Agriculture to be the extra cost to the Northern Ireland farming industry due to the increased duty on hydrocarbon oils.
§ Mr. John MackieThe payments under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act, 1957, are made in recognition of the special position of agricultural producers in Northern Ireland. The increased duty on hydrocarbon oils, which applies to the United Kingdom, does not call for any revision of this special assistance but will be taken into account along with all other relevant circumstances at the next Annual Review of the general economic condition and prospects of the agricultural industry.