asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will appoint a member on the South-West Economic Planning Council to represent the agricultural industry and the family farmer.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Alan Williams):

My right hon. Friend announced on 1st April the names of the members of the South-West Council who he has appointed for a further period.

But the failure to appoint someone who knows about the problems of agriculture in the South-West is an insult to the farming community in the South-West. Would the hon. Gentleman think again and appoint someone who really understands the problems of agriculture in the South-West?

Mr. Williams:

The hon. Member will appreciate that there are on the Council two members of local authorities, one trade unionist and one independent member, all of whom have close links with the agricultural industry.