§ Mr. Frank Maguireasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the calf subsidy, for horned Hereford bulls born after 1st November 1974, which is available in England, Scotland and Wales, to Northern Ireland; and what are the reasons for this subsidy not hitherto being available.
§ Mr. BishopI am considering whether there is a case for relaxing for certain classes of calves, including Hereford bulls, the requirement that when presented live only calves without horns may receive
674Wgoods and services until 1972–73. It is estimated that in each of that and the following year such imports amounted to about £1 million. Foreign currency earnings were as follows:
£ million 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 6.4 7.0 8.4 9.6 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 10.6 11.6 12.6 13.6 The British Airways Board was established in April 1972. For earlier years the information below relates to the former British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways combined. Figures for overseas borrowing are only readily available from 1967–68 and in terms of the amount outstanding—that is, after repayments—at the end of each financial year. Export figures are available only from 1971 and in the form indicated. The information is:
calf subsidy in Northern Ireland. The requirement was introduced as an extension to the arrangements in Northern Ireland whereby, with very few exceptions, animals with horns cannot be offered for sale.
§ Mr. Frank Maguireasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the bulls for which subsidy has been refused in Northern Ireland will be eligible for subsidy to the English buyers when they purchase the same at the forthcoming sales in Balmoral, Belfast.
§ Mr. BishopYes, if the hon. Member is referring to the presentation in England, Wales, or Scotland of live bulls 675W with horns for the calf subsidy and subject to the bulls meeting all the other conditions of the scheme.