HL Deb 09 December 1981 vol 425 cc1429-30WA
Lord O'Hagan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make a statement about illegal Dutch subsidies for horticulture.

Earl Ferrers

As my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said in reply to a Question from Mr. Robert Dunn, MP, on 23rd November, we are determined to retain a viable and successful British glasshouse industry. We have, therefore, decided to continue to assist growers of protected crops by giving the maximum aid towards oil heating costs under European Commission guidelines. This aid in respect of oil which will be used in the year commencing 1st January 1982 will be worth up to £4 million to the industry.

Meanwhile, we will continue to press the Commission to complete their legal action under Article 93 of the Treaty of Rome against the preferential tariff for gas supplied to Dutch glasshouse growers.