§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what information he bases his statement, expressed in his answer on 16th May to the Question from the hon. Member for Wycombe (Sir J. Hall), that the future world food situation will depend upon increases in agricultural production in developing countries.
§ Mr. BuchanMy reply to the hon. Member for Wycombe (Sir J. Hall) said that the future world food situation would depend "to a large extent" on the increases in agricultural production achieved in developing countries. The hon. Member for Wycombe had referred in his Question to the demand for higher standards of living by the people in developing countries, and it is predominantly in such countries that serious food shortages exist. It is for this reason that we must turn first to the possibilities of increasing production on the spot in those countries although, of course, in assessing the overall world situation the production in developed countries is important.