HC Deb 21 June 1967 vol 748 cc1703-4
19. Sir Frank Pearson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the official talks he has had recently with the Minister of Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland.

25. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the unsatisfactory discussions with the Irish Government over export of fat cattle to the United Kingdom, what further representations he will make.

Mr. Peart

Discussions with the Government of the Irish Republic are still proceeding. I do not propose to comment further at the present time.

Sir Frank Pearson

Will the right hon. Gentleman recognise that this is a matter of confidence for agriculture and that shortly he will have to give it some assurance that the market will not be distorted in the coming autumn? Can he promise the House a statement on these discussions?

Mr. Peart

I have said that I am having discussions. I have emphasised phasing and I have made statements about it. This is what I am trying to achieve. I hope the hon. Member will not spread woe.

Mr. Mills

Will the Minister bear in mind that many of us feel that in this coming autumn we shall suffer the same sort of nonsense we had last autumn unless he takes a much tougher line with the Irish Government than he did before?

Mr. Peart

I hope the hon. Member realises that there has always been free access of Irish products into our market. Therefore, the treaty is nothing to do with it. My predecessors always believed in this policy. I have told hon. Members that I am looking into this and we are having discussions. I hope the hon. Member does not follow the gloomy talk of his friends.