HC Deb 05 December 1974 vol 882 cc556-7W
58. Mr. Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the recent EEC Commission's proposal to cut the Community glasshouse acreage by 30 per cent.; and what effect this will have upon the United Kingdom glasshouse industry.

Mr. Strang

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings) on 7th November—[Vol. 880, c. 190.]

69. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister of agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the continuing increases in the cost of fuel, why he refuses to extend the temporary subsidy on fuel oil to the glasshouse industry beyond the end of 1974; and if he has made an estimate of the number of glasshouse units which will go out of production in the next year if the subsidy is not extended.

Mr. Strang

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling) on 12th November.—[Vol. 881, c.92.] There has been no increase in the cost of fuel oils used by the glasshouse industry since my right hon. Friend announced the temporary subsidy on 11th April this year.