Vol. 373 No. 13
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food given the national importance to the economy of agriculture and the general agreement between the majority of the members of all parties on the need for better management of the public finances, his views on whether the working party on agriculture should include members from all the interested political parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
51.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with the progress to date of his working party on agriculture in the context of the Government's forthcoming programme for economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 51 together. The working party on agriculture which is made up of officials from Government Departments and representatives of the main farming organisations has already had three meetings and is due to complete its work within the next few weeks. Having regard to the nature and purpose of the working party, it would not be appropriate to include members of the political parties on it.
