§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the advantage to the United Kingdom, and cost to public funds of the hospitality given by Her Majesty's Government to 18W the Economic Commission for Europe group of experts on standardisation of seed potatoes; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Younger:The group of experts produced a standard in 1963 which has facilitated international trade but which now needs revision. United Kingdom participation enables us to ensure that the Standard does not impede our exports.
Because of the particular importance of the seed potato trade to Scottish and Northern Irish agriculture, the Government invited the group to meet in Edinburgh in 1980, so that overseas delegations could see some of the research and development effort which backs the industry and also the high standard of our commercial handling facilities.
I am quite certain that the £226 spent on hospitality for them will yield quite disproportionate benefit to our seed potato exports, worth already around £10 million and capable of considerable further expansion.