Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual cost of oil for heating one acre of glasshouses in Northern Ireland; and what would be the saving if the price of oil were reduced by 2p per gallon at present prices.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe cost varies with the crop and timing of production. It is not possible to establish a standard cost figure applicable to all growers. The usage of oil per acre per annum varies between 30,000 and 50,000 gallons. The annual cost therefore ranges from £6,780 to £11,300. A reduction in the price of oil by 2p per gallon would reduce the annual cost by between £600 and £1,000.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the value of the various glasshouse crops imported into Northern Ireland from Eire and from elsewhere in 1973 and 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe information is as follows:—
produced in Northern Ireland in 1973 and in 1974; and how much was exported to Eire and how much elsewhere.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe approximate total value of the glasshouse crops produced in Northern Ireland in 1973 and 179W 1974 was £600,000 and £650,000 respectively. There are no statistics of value for the individual crops except tomatoes, which average £500,000 annually. The Northern Ireland market takes the entire production.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to restore the position of glasshouse growers in Northern Ireland vis-à-vis the Irish Republic, since the producers in the Irish Republic have a subsidy of 2p per gallon on oil.
§ Mr. BishopI have been asked to reply.
No such steps are needed. The glasshouse fuel oil subsidy in the United Kingdom was 6p per gallon from 1st January to 30th June 1974 and 4p per gallon from 1st July to 31st December 1974; that in the Irish Republic was 5p per gallon from 1st July to 31st December 1974 and is 2p per gallon from 1st January to 30th June 1975, when it is due to terminate. The United Kingdom subsidy was thus more generous than that given in the Irish Republic.
APPLICATIONS FOR FIREARM CERTIFICATES 1975 1974 Initial Grant Variation Renewal Initial Grant Variation Renewal Application made Of which: 1,351 2,667 6,121 1,888 7,557 1,778 refused 106 128 72 95 161 14 refused but later reconsidered and granted before appeal. 4 14 67 figures not immediately available outstanding on 21st March (total). 573 — — 400 — —
APPEALS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE 1975 1974 Appeals made Of which: … 197 182 outside the statutory time limit … 5 — allowed by the secreatory of state … 1 — refused by the secretary of state … 2 38 allowed by the Chief Constable pending decision … 49 10 outstanding on 21st March … 140 134