§ 17. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what annual rate the beef subsidy is now running.
§ Mr. SoamesThe published estimate for cattle for the year 1962–63 is£45 million for the United Kingdom. There will be some savings as a result of the Annual Review decisions, but I cannot at this stage give a revised figure.
§ Mr. RidleyWould not my right hon. Friend agree that a system of support which he estimated to cost£12 million last year, which has now reached a figure of£45 million and under which he cannot tell us what will be the actual cost this year, is a most unsatisfactory system? Will he consider the system of support which the Common Market countries are to bring in and start adapting our system of support to that end to meet it?
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir. As my hon. Friend knows, negotiations axe proceeding at the moment with the E.E.C. but at present we are continuing with our present system of support which has brought considerable benefit to consumers and farmers in this country.
§ Mr. TurtonHave the Common Market countries in fact worked out their system of support for beef? I thought that they had not yet done so.
§ Mr. SoamesThat is correct. The Commission has put forward proposals but they have not yet been taken by the Ministers of the Six.
§ Mr. ThorpeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is growing concern that despite the high subsidy bill for beef, the price drop is not being passed on to the housewife and the farmer is getting a falling price? Will he look at the activities of the French Minister of Agriculture, who has ruthlessly attacked butchers' rings? Will not he do the same in this country?
§ Mr. SoamesThere was a period—I am not sure whether it is still continuing—when price controls were put on meat in France. I am not sure whether they are continuing now, whether they were effective and for how long they were kept in operation. The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that they carry many drawbacks with them.