asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from Commonwealth Governments, including India, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, about the import levies announced on 17th March: and what replies he has given.

Our main Commonwealth suppliers, notably New Zealand, Australia and Canada, were fully consulted and the levies schemes announced on 17th March take account of points which they and other major suppliers raised with us. I have received no subsequent representations from any Commonwealth Government.—[Vol. 813. c. 1438–40.]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Is it not clear that this action by the Government will have a direct effect on the cost of living? Is it not also clear that this is part of the Government's plan to get us into the Common Market without even trying to negotiate any reasonable terms, and that it is doing damage to Commonwealth trade in the meantime?

No. The hon. Lady is wrong on both counts. First, it will have a very minor effect on the cost of living. The latest estimates I have given are one-half of 1 per cent. on the cost of food index, spead over the 12 months from the start of the implementation of the interim levy schemes. Secondly, it is part of our policy to change to a levy system over the next three or four years regardless of Common Market considerations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many letters he has received since 1st January on food prices.

About 120.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that answer. Does he appreciate that his policy, which is deliberately encouraging increased food costs, has dealt a savage blow at the living standards of millions of people, particularly old-age pensioners? Is he aware that he is likely to go down in history as the Minister who turned the saying "Half a loaf is better than none" into a living reality for many thousands of families?

The hon. Gentleman must not exaggerate the effect of increased food prices resulting from the introduction of the levy system. As I said earlier, the increase which will be brought about by the levy system over the 12 months starting next July will be one-half of 1 per cent. on the cost of food index. As the food index represents about one-quarter of the cost of living index, the hon. Gentleman cannot possibly justify his accusations.

Has it been brought to the attention of my right hon. Friend that recent legislation in the transport sphere has increased the cost of distribution by 15 per cent., and that most of this legislation was introduced by the Labour Government?

I do not think there is any doubt that the effects of the Transport Act, introduced by hon. Gentlemen opposite when in office, have been extremely severe on the cost of food and that this is a very important factor to be taken into consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman unaware that in the first three months of this year non-seasonal food prices rose by three points on the food index, and that it now appears that only a comparatively few retailers will pass on the cut in S.E.T.? Does he not think that his non-intervention on food prices is contributing greatly to the growing feeling among people that the Government do not have the right policies to deal with inflation?

We must get clear what happens when we have intervention. This time last year it could be assumed that we had intervention under the Labour Government, but at that time, in the three months from January to March, the cost of food index went up by 2·2 per cent., whereas this year it has gone up by 1·6 per cent. [Interruption.] I am not making that as a point about food price increases. I am merely saying that I do not believe that interventionist policies work as well as competition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will pay an official visit to west Edinburgh.

I have been invited to visit west Edinburgh and am hoping to do so before long. In the meanwhile I am extremely grateful for the able and hardworking support given to me by its hon. Member.

When the right hon. Gentleman comes, will he unravel the mystery of why bread prices in the east of Scotland should be higher than those in the west of Scotland?

At least that shows that competition works, because prices in the west of Scotland, according to my latest information, are as much as 4d. lower than in other parts of Scotland, or in some other parts of the United Kingdom. Certainly the more competition, the better.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the National Farmers' Union about the future marketing of British agricultural products; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has had no further discussions with the N.F.U. on this subject since my hon. Friend's previous Question was answered on 23rd March.—[Vol. 814, c. 72.]

Does not my hon. Friend agree that while British agriculture can lead the world in methods of production and efficiency, in marketing it is very weak? Does he not also agree that other major exporters of food to this country have their marketing well organised, and that it is about time that we did, too?

Both my right hon. Friend and I have said that we recognise the critical importance of marketing over the next few years and that we are willing to consider any proposals which the industry may put to us.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total production of home-killed beef and veal in 1963, 1969 and 1970.

Total production of home-killed beef and veal in 1963 was 929,081 tons, in 1969 856,876 tons, and the provisional total for 1970 is 931,370 tons.

As six years of Socialist Government between 1964 and 1969 saw a decline of nearly 100,000 tons in beef output, can my hon. Friend assure the House that the recent steps taken by his right hon. Friend are adequate to reverse this serious trend?

I certainly expect the award announced in 1971 to stimulate production considerably. I merely enter the caveat, as I have previously, that figures given for calendar years can be misleading.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that his right hon. Friend's White Paper on the Price Review indicated that the selective expansion programme for beef was satisfactorily on target?

I should not quarrel with that. I can well understand the right hon. Gentleman's eagerness to snap up any crumb of success to be found in his otherwise rather uneventful programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new arrangement he has made for the stabilisation of the bacon market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present working of the bacon stabilisation agreement; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will review the Bacon Stabilisation Fund with a view to its abolition; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have decided to make some changes in the Bacon Curing Industry Stabilisation Scheme so as to stimulate closer attention to market conditions and reduce the cost to public funds. For 1971–72 the formula will provide for a pigmeat price at a lower level in relation to the standard price for pigs and for a bacon price not lower than 2½ per cent. below the average price of First Selection bacon from all sources. Curers will also be asked to provide information about costs and profitability of bacon curing.

Will this change, which is welcome as curtailing excessive public expenditure, affect the capacity of the home bacon curing industry to fulfil its share of the British bacon market as internationally agreed?

I do not think it will have any ill-effects on the ability of the curing industry to fulfil its quota, which is 26,000 tons above the quota for last year. What will decide the issue is whether we can produce bacon competitively. If we can, we can have a much bigger share of the market.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that while the curing industry has made strides lately, much more needs to be done, particularly in the rationalisation of plant and seeing that there is a constant supply of good quality bacon? Will he remind the curers that this is what the Fund is all about?

I think the curers are well aware of some of their shortcomings, but they have been doing a better job recently. I have every confidence that in the next year or so they will improve on their previous performance by a large amount. It is important, to get stability into the industry, that the industry should know that it can go ahead on the assumption that it can get the pigs and can sell the bacon at a reasonable price.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the past the scheme has been one of the biggest drains on the public purse and that it has been quite unjustifiably used? Will he assure the House that in future the money will be properly used? Does he not agree that the bacon curing industry must take a proper grip on its methods of operation so that it operates efficiently and does not waste the taxpayers' money, as it undoubtedly has in past years?

I have impressed very strongly on the curing industry the need for greater efficiency. The purpose of the scheme which I am introducing is to make it go for a higher price and to force it to get a higher price for its products. Apart from that, the industry has to face subsidised imports from Denmark, and it has a right to further support from us at this stage.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what effect this change will have on the price of bacon in the shops?

At the moment bacon prices are lower than they have been for some years. The immediate effect in the shops will be absolutely negligible; but if the change brings about a small cut-back in British supplies going on to the market, I should expect to see some hardening of the price.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the cereal acreage planted for the 1971 harvest.

I regret that I cannot yet give an estimate. The March Census returns were delayed by the postal strike, and examination of the figures has not been completed. It is hoped to publish them during May.

My hon. Friend will be aware that the White Paper referred to higher acreages of winter wheat. May I therefore ask, first, what influence he expects this to have on the import of wheat?

The planting of winter wheat was 300,000 acres more than in the previous year. At this stage, as a farmer, I should not wish to prophesy what the yield will be in August and September. It would take a drop in yield of only 4 cwt. an acre to bring the total figure to what it was last year for the smaller acreage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has completed his study of the common fisheries policy of the European Economic Community and its effect upon the United Kingdom's inshore fishing industry.

I have nothing to add to my reply on 30th March to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Deakins).—[Vol. 814, c. 334.]

I appreciate that my right hon. Friend has received and studied a memorandum from the Fisheries Organisation Society. Will he give an undertaking not to make up his mind finally on the subject without consulting a body which is representative of more than 100 fishery organisations?

I certainly give that undertaking straight away to my hon. Friend, and to all other bodies interested in this difficult problem.

Representing Lowestoft, the Minister must know the feelings in all coastal constituencies about this matter. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a joint meeting of M.P.s on both sides of the House representing fisheries interests, and we have unanimously sent a letter to his colleague the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster? Has the Minister seen the letter? If so, would he care to comment on it?

I have not seen that letter, although I have seen the Motion. I am well aware not only of the strong feelings in the fishery constituencies but of the strong feelings in the House. The negotiations have not yet begun. The E.E.C. has been made aware of the importance which we attach to the problem, and I and my right hon. and learned Friend will keep the House fully informed of what happens.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind two specific questions in the negotiations: first, the necessity to prevent over-fishing by anybody, so that stocks will not decrease; secondly, the special problems of shellfish, such as mussels and oysters, which are physically planted and, under our law, owned by people, entitled to reap the benefit from them, and the need to ensure that this exclusive use remains for those who planted them?

Yes, Sir. These are two problems which we shall certainly want to consider when we come to discuss this matter.

I understand the Minister's difficulty about giving specific details while negotiations proceed, but would he give the House an undertaking that British inshore fishermen will be treated with the same circumspection and the same degree of protection as French inshore fishermen have been treated by the French Government within the Comman Market at present?

I think the right hon. Gentleman refers to a three-mile limit, which the French have at present. At this stage, I do not want to be drawn on the negotiations, which have not even begun, but I am well aware of what the inshore fishing industry requires. I shall do everything in my power to obtain it for the industry, and I shall report to the House as soon as we know more.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department have to sponsor increased contacts between farmers in the United Kingdom and those in the European Economic Community.

I am glad to say that our farmers' organisations are actively developing their contacts with those in the Community, and I think the initiative is best left with them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the view of most people, contacts of this nature are very beneficial and should be encouraged as much as possible?

Yes, I agree entirely, and we shall do all we can to help.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his latest estimates about the extent to which beef production would benefit from Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

I foresee good prospects for United Kingdom beef producers within an enlarged Community.

Would my hon. Friend not agree that higher end prices for beef cattle, which we should expect in an enlarged European Community, would be of particular value to the traditional stock-raising areas of Scotland, whether high ground or low ground?

Undoubtedly, Sir, and the guide price in the Commu1nity is considerably higher than it is in this country. One should not neglect the fact that feed costs would rise, but, I think, not enough to offset the advantage. The use of hill ground would bring into discussion the question of the production grants, and, as my hon. Friend knows, these are a matter for negotiation.

If the Minister is going for quality, would he indicate what services his Department is likely to offer housewives, especially in Scotland, so that they may have a clear indication that the quality they are paying for is the quality being sold?

Giving guidance to housewives in Scotland is a matter for my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to seek to visit the countries of the European Economic Community in the near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent official consultations he has had with European Economic Community Ministers of Agriculture.

Subject to consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, I am ready to visit any of the European Economic Community countries if it would serve a useful purpose. My hon. Friend and I have already met some of the Ministers of the Six and their deputies on various occasions, and I have recently received an invitation to visit Italy which I intend to take up when a mutually convenient date has been agreed.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it has been a considerable help to our fanning community that he has made a number of speeches saying how helpful it would be to that community were we to enter the E.E.C.? Would he seek to see what has happened in Italy, where the agricultural community has been encouraged considerably by Italy's entry into the E.E.C., despite considerable doubts when Italian entry was first mooted?

I agree with my hon. Friend.

What arrangements, if any, exist in the Community in which my right hon. Friend will probably be able to take part for consultations between Agriculture Ministers on a regular basis?

The Agriculture Ministers within the Community have frequent meetings. They have also had meetings at various times in Brussels with my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The more meetings that take place with the Council of Ministers, the better it will be and the more emphasis and the more influence we can bring to bear on them.

If the right hon. Gentleman visits the E.E.C. countries, will he make a tour of the various warehouses that are stocked with food and consider the high prices that working people in the E.E.C. countries pay for their food, and then return and explain to us the advantages of accepting the E.E.C's agricultural policy?

As for the accusation that warehouses are stocked with food, the fact is that there is now no surplus of butter in the Common Market.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he now has to inform British farmers about the advantages which they would be likely to obtain for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on the terms now envisaged.

I believe that British farmers are generally alive to the advantages they would gain from membership, and I am keeping their representatives fully informed of developments.

Has my right hon. Friend any plans to set up an advisory body to assist farmers to accommodate the new situation which obviously will arise if we join the E.E.C.?

All farmers are pretty well informed about the possibilities if we join the E.E.C., and, in addition, there are now publications coming out which, I think, will help in this respect. Hon. Members can do a lot themselves to convince farmers of the advantages.

Does not the Minister realise that, particularly in hill farming areas, what farmers want to know is which grants and subsidies will be payable under the Common Market arrangements and which will not?

I am well aware of that, and in due course we shall be able to tell them.

As it is the Government's duty to be absolutely fair and objective in presenting the Common Market case to the country, what steps are they taking to tell farmers of the disadvantages, since this is not apparent in their recent propaganda through the Post Office?

I hope that my hon. Friend is not suggesting that we have not been fair and objective in putting the Government's case. As regards agriculture and horticulture, I think that no one will accuse me of failing to tell hortculturists of some of the difficulties involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on the consumption of liquid milk.

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate, but, as the price of liquid milk to the consumer is likely to be lower if the United Kingdom were a member of the European Economic Community than it would otherwise be, the effect of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Com- munity would probably be favourable to liquid milk consumption.

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Will he go out of his way to make sure that facts of this kind are made clear to the public, who are at present considerably confused by the nonsense spoken by those who are opposed to our entry into the Common Market?

Yes, Sir; if my hon. Friend cares to put down other Questions of this kind, he will receive similar answers.

What does the hon. Gentleman envisage will take the place of the Milk Marketing Board in the event of our entering the Common Market?

It has been established that the marketing boards will be able to carry out certain of their functions, and I very much hope—this is founded on the interest which, in my experience, people in France and Germany have shown in the efficiency of our marketing boards— that we shall be able to carry over many of the functions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will establish a committee of management for the banana trade similar to that established in France, details of which are in his possession.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will harmonise arrangements for the banana trade with those in France, details of which are in his possession, and set up a council similar to the Comité Interprofessionel Bananier de L'Union Francaise.

No, Sir.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is how the French secured a large share of the European market for the Francophone banana exporters? If we are to discharge our moral obligations to Jamaica and the Windward Isles and protect them against the dangers of our entry into the E.E.C. and the depredations of the United Fruit Company, ought we not to be doing the same ourselves?

This was a proposal which arose through the dispute between Jamaica and Fyffes, and the dispute was settled to each side's satisfaction by a commercial agreement. The idea of a committee was recommended by Lord Denning, but was rejected by him when Fyffes declined to take part.

Is not the Minister aware that Lord Denning recommended this very proposal? Moreover, is he not aware that the E.E.C. has on its agenda now, and has had since September, 1970, the formulation of a common banana policy? Is he not aware that if that policy is formulated before we enter, tens of thousands of people will be put out of work and will suffer privation and hardship because of dilatory action by the Government?

I thought that I did make myself aware of Lord Denning's views. He did not maintain those views when one side declined to take part. Subsequently, the commerial agreement between both sides was arrived at. The present French régime differs from the system operated in West Germany and need not be the ultimate E.E.C. system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements have been made to integrate data on farmers' incomes with data stored in computer databanks operated by other Government departments.

None, Sir.

I am grateful for that enlightening answer. Would not the Parliamentary Secretary admit that there is at least a temptation to integrate data from various sources as that which would save farmers filling out so many forms? When he succumbs to the temptation, will he ensure that adequate safeguards are maintained to ensure the confidentiality of this information?

I am well aware, as is the House, of the hon. Gentleman's anxiety on this subject. There are some 2,500 farm businesses which provide information on various items to the Department. It is passed to the university departments which then send it to us in a form which absolutely ensures non-identification of contributors. It would thus be physically impossible for us to associate any of this information with other information about the same farm.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to prohibit or restrict the use of the herbicides 2,4-D and 2,45-T.

My right hon. Friend has asked the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and other Toxic Chemicals to advise him whether further precautions are needed for 2,4-D following recent reports suggesting that it might harm wildlife. As I told the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 19th January, prohibition is not envisaged for 2,45-T although the Committee has its safety implications under continuous review.—[Vol. 809, c. 240–1.]

I am grateful for some evidence of progress in this matter. Can the Minister give some idea about when the report he has requested will be available and when it will be acted upon? Is he aware that with this sort of chemical spray by aircraft there seem to be frequest instances of growing inaccuracy in spraying and that the areas affected are much more extensive than was originally supposed?

The second question goes a little wide of these matters. I cannot give a firm date by which the committee will report; it is a matter for the committee. But I shall certainly undertake to draw to the committee's attention the hon. Gentleman's anxiety that the report should be made as speedily as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how many has the number of in-calf heifers increased during the first three months of 1971.

The results of the March, 1971, Census, which will provide this information, are not yet available.

Does my hon. Friend agree that, although there might have been a slight increase in dairying in-calf heifers, this is probably not sufficient bearing in mind the need to increase production after the Price Review and in view of the rise in the price of manufacturing milk? Is he aware that there is great anxiety that there will not be a sufficient increase in the beef herd to supply our needs whether or not we join the Common Market and particularly if we do?

The figures for the first three quarters are available. Although they are only sample figures, they tend to show that, although the dairy herd is down marginally, the overall cattle herd is up. We have no reason to suppose that from June, 1970 to 1971, there will not be a further increase in the beef herd.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why 3,000 tons of frozen brussels sprouts were permitted to be imported from South Africa in or about the month of March, 1971, when the home crop was so plentiful that it could not all be sold.

Detailed statistics for March are not available and I cannot comment on the figure mentioned. Imports of frozen brussels sprouts from South Africa are not subject to quantitative restrictions.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is very frustrating for our home growers to produce a fine crop of fresh vegetables only to find that they cannot sell them at a reasonable price because of imported produce coming in at just the wrong time of year? Will my hon. Friend bear in mind what has happened this season in regard to brussels sprouts with a view to action being taken in the future?

I sympathise with those who have produced a very big crop of brussels sprouts. I cannot substantiate the figure which has been quoted by my right hon. and learned Friend, which is over twice as high as any figure for such imports over a whole 12-month period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations he intends to make into the effects of different cropping and cultivation practices on the micro-biology of soils.

I have nothing to add to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member to a similar Question on 22nd March.—[Vol. 814, c. 68.]

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that in the important recent report "Modern Farming and The Soil", published by the Agricultural Advisory Council, this aspect of soil science was not present and that the reply to which the hon. Gentleman has referred gave no indication that any research is being done on this subject? Does he not think that he should initiate it?

Long-term research is being done into such things as the root diseases of cereals in different soils and under varying conditions. Studies are being made of eel-worm in potatoes. The soil report concluded that more basic knowledge was needed about the optimum conditions for root development. That is mainly a matter for the Agricultural Research Council. I will draw the attention of the Council to what the hon. Gentleman has said, but the Council is an independent body.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further consideration he has given to vaccination policy following recent outbreaks of fowl pest in Hampshire and elsewhere.

Outbreaks of fowl pest are declining and I am satisfied that vaccination is the right policy. My Department will be examining our control measures in consultation with the interests concerned, but I must emphasise the crucial importance of vaccination.

Does my hon. Friend realise that the situation does not seem to be improving in Hampshire and that my constituents think that the Ministry perhaps does not realise how serious the situation is? Will the Ministry consider setting up a court of inquiry in conjunction with the N.F.U. to examine the whole question of fowl pest rather on the same lines as the Northumberland inquiry into foot and mouth disease?

I regret to say that in Hampshire, as elsewhere, a lamentably small number of flocks was thoroughly vaccinated before the outbreak and, therefore, they fell victim to a particularly vicious form of this disease. There was an inquiry in 1962. I do not think that there needs to be a full inquiry on that scale again. I do not think that that form of inquiry is justified, but all the interests involved will be invited to take pant in the forthcoming review and will be able to make their views known.

The House will welcome the hon. Gentleman's statement that this grave epidemic is on the decline, but may I press him to consider further the request made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman—namely, that there should be an independent inquiry—in the light of the fact that on this occasion the difference is that live vaccine is being used and the House and the country will wish to know the full implications of its use, without going into the merits of the case at this time? If the hon. Gentleman refuses to institute such an inquiry, will he give the House an undertaking that the report of the departmental inquiry that is proposed by his right hon. Friend will be published so that the House can be aware of its contents and recommendations?

I have all along said that this subject is far too serious not to consider seriously any suggestion that is made, no matter from which part of the House it comes. My right hon. Friend has heard what the right hon. Gentleman has said. We will consider the suggestions that have been made. I do not wish to go further than that today.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of total United Kingdom sugar consumption in 1969 and 1970 was supplied by member countries of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

The proportions were 67 per cent. and 62 per cent. respectively.

As so high a proportion of our sugar comes from Commonwealth sources, will my hon. Friend ask my right hon. Friend not to tamper with this source of supply, which has become a part of history and serves to put first-class cheap sugar on our tables?

The review is a triennial one. The agreement for 1972–74 comes up for review in the autumn. No doubt my right hon. Friend will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is some speculation that in the present E.E.C. negotiations the Government are considering a formula by which the Commonwealth sugar-producing countries would be allowed to supply less sugar but would be paid a higher price for it? For obvious reasons those countries are against such a proposition. Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that such a formula is no longer being seriously considered?

The members of the Community have been told that the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement is a contract up till 1974, and they have been asked for continuing arrangements after that for imports from the developing countries. We have not yet had a formal reply from them, but the problem is admitted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider conducting field trials of new varieties of soya beans and maize which could be grown economically in Great Britain.

Field trials on maize are being conducted by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Services in conjunction with the National Institute of Agricultural Botany. No field work is being done on soya beans, as conditions are not suitable for growing them economically in this country.

Is it not a fact that soya beans are being grown further and further north in Europe now? Will my hon. Friend look at this question again and see whether it might be worth while to conduct trials with soya bean, since there is considerable scope for import saving with soya bean as well as maize?

The import-saving potential for maize is £89 million and for soya £36 million. Soya needs a much warmer climate than we have, and it is an extremely sensitive plant to the length of day. Even after what we did with British Standard Time, I am not quite sure that it could be said to have done any good in this sphere, and I still do not think that our conditions would suit soya.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet appointed a Northern Ireland representative to the Committee of Inquiry into the Veterinary Profession.

Members are not being appointed to represent particular areas, but my colleagues and I are glad that Mr. R. A. Hamilton, C.B.E., who is an Ulsterman, has agreed to serve on this Committee.

Are the numbers of the Committee now complete, and may we know when it will start its work?

The numbers 1are now complete. We think that the Committee will start its work very soon, but it will take a considerable time to complete it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider amending the Calf Subsidy Scheme to encourage the de-horning of cattle.

The policy of my right hon. Friend remains one of reducing Government activity and intervention in the affairs of the agricultural industry, and he would need convincing evidence before making an exception in this case.

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but will he investigate the matter further because of the well known and established benefit which results from de-horning, particularly in the yarding of cattle and in milking parlours? Will he review the question once more?

I regard this idea as wholly laudable, but it is one for the market rather than for direction; horned beasts at the market undoubtedly fetch a little less. However, I must point out that if some sort of statutory direction were imposed it would affect a celebrated breed of cattle which live in the Highlands of Scotland.