asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the net income of growers of tomatoes and lettuce in Lancashire in 1969.

My right hon. Friend has no information on which he could base a statement about the net income of growers of tomatoes and lettuce in Lancashire in 1969.

Is it not a fact that Lancashire is the biggest tomato and lettuce growing county in the country? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local horticultural division of the National Farmers Union estimates that a substantial increase in returns will be necessary to avoid a decline in this industry?

Yes, we have this information. Over the country as a whole the price for tomatoes and lettuces was somewhat lower in 1969, compared with 1968, but still higher than in 1967. The reason why I cannot give the information for which the hon. Gentleman asks is that many growers are not willing to disclose their accounts and we do not want to compel them.

Would the Minister agree that costs of these growers have increased to a much greater extent than those of their competitors?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, and as I have just said, we do not have proper accounts. I do not know whether he is asking me to take powers to compel the growers to give these.