§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount by which he plans to reduce expenditure for 1974–75 and in the balance of the current year as a result of the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December, indicating the main areas where such reductions will take place; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberThe planned reduction in public expenditure for 1974–75 on that part of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry programme which comes within my control amounts to about £6 million. The saving which will be made in the remainder of 1973–74 as a consequence of action to reduce expenditure next year will depend to a large extent upon the precise way in which the 1974–75 reductions are arranged. I cannot at present give a figure for the reduction in spending this year which will arise on this account. The allocation of reductions to main areas is still under consideration. The reductions apply to public expenditure on capital programmes and to public purchases of supplies and services. Our grants and subsidies to farmers are not affected by this.