§ Viscount Brookeboroughasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the importance of agriculture to the economy of Northern Ireland, they will publish the conclusions of the Hayes Interdepartmental Committee on the future of the industry.
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)While recognising the importance of agriculture to the economy of Northern Ireland, I regret I cannot add to the reply I gave to my noble friend on 7th April 1982. [Official Report, Vol. 429, col. 285].
§ Viscount Brookeboroughasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that, though welcome, the annual grant of national aids to Northern Ireland agriculture, does not give confidence for long-term planning; and whether they will state what steps they are taking to have future necessary aids to agriculture put on a long-term basis.
The Earl of GowrieThe importance of giving farmers confidence to plan ahead is very much appreciated by Her Majesty's Government. However, it should be borne in mind that by far the greatest proportion of support for Northern Ireland farmers comes from continuing and long-term measures—both EC and national—and that most of the special aid is designed to supplement these to alleviate current local problems. Allocation of the necessary funds for special aid is also subject to priority assessments within Government expenditure for any particular financial year. Nevertheless, the agricultural development programme in the less favoured areas will run for 10 years and the additional aid for feeding stuffs projects for four years. Efforts will continue to be made to extend special aid provision where necessary but the assessment of additional needs will in most cases be on an annual basis.
House adjourned at fourteen minutes before nine o'clock.