§ 30. Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement indicating the current profitability of the glasshouse industry.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerNo estimates are made of the profitability of the glasshouse industry. I am, of course, aware that many growers are experiencing difficulties because of the unfair competitive advantage given to Dutch growers exporting glasshouse produce grown with the aid of artificially cheap gas. The European Commission has declared that the preferential tariff for gas supplied to Dutch growers distorts competition within the European Community and has initiated legal action under the Treaty of Rome to eliminate it. I am continuing to press the Commission to complete its legal action.
§ 34. Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on current progress towards the equalisation of fuel costs to glasshouse growers through the European Economic Community, and when he now expects this objective to be achieved.
§ 35. Sir David Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further progress he has made in the European Council, and elsewhere, to persuade the Netherlands Government to stop subsidising their glasshouse growers contrary to the spirit of the Treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham).