HC Deb 18 May 1981 vol 5 c22W
Mr. Nelson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what conclusions have been reached on the request for short-term assistance with fuel costs made by officers of the central horticultural committee of the National Farmers Union and the West Sussex Growers Association at their meeting with the hon. Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont) on 25 November 1980.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I am pleased to say that, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food told my hon. Friend on 30 April, the Government propose to introduce a short-term adaptation aid to enable growers of heated protected crops to adjust to the distortions of competition caused by the preferential gas tariff to horticulturists in the Netherlands.