§ 16. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now publish as a White Paper the text of the European Economic Community's decision on agriculture, together with details of agriculture support systems in the European Economic Community countries.
§ Mr. SoamesThe final texts of the agricultural regulations and decisions which were agreed by the Six on 14th January have now been published in the Journal Officiel of the European Communities and copies of the final texts in French have been placed in the Library of the House. English translations are being prepared as quickly as possible and translations of three of the regulations and decisions are already 1008 available to Members in the Vote Office. The others will be placed there as soon as possible.
Information on agricultural policies in the Six is readily available in published form notably in a series of reports by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation on agricultural policies in Europe and North America. It would not be appropriate for the Government to publish a White Paper on the domestic policies of other governments.
§ Mr. PeartIs the Minister aware that we have had to prod the Government continually for information? Last week, when I led a delegation to Brussels, I got more information from M. Mansholt and his officials than we have had from Government spokesmen in the House. Why are the Government so reticent? Is there to be a last-minute package deal?
§ Mr. SoamesIt has nothing to do with any last-iminute package deal. The agreements reached in January among the Six were published in the Journal Officiel of the European Communities on 20th April. Not until that had been done could we place them in the House.