HC Deb 16 November 1978 vol 958 c342W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what action he is taking to ensure that agricultural production in the United Kingdom moves gradually to those areas where it can take place most efficiently, giving the action being taken, commodity by commodity;

(2) if he will specify those areas of the United Kingdom where he estimates that the dominant agricultural production should be on the ground of efficiency, namely milk, beef, pigs, sheep, potatoes, grain, sugar beet, poultry and eggs.

Mr. Bishop

While my right hon. Friend and his agricultural colleagues always take account of any special circumstances which apply to agriculture in different parts of the United Kingdom, our general policy for the United Kingdom as a whole is to provide the right framework for the healthy development of the agricultural industry and to regard detailed decisions on production as a matter for individual farmers.