§ 1. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from Commonwealth Governments, including India, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, about the import levies announced on 17th March: and what replies he has given.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Prior)Our main Commonwealth suppliers, notably New Zealand, Australia and Canada, were fully consulted and the levies schemes announced on 17th March take account of points which they and other major suppliers raised with us. I have received no subsequent representations from any Commonwealth Government.—[Vol. 813. c. 1438–40.]
§ Mrs. ShortI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Is it not clear that this action by the Government will have a direct effect on the cost of living? Is it not also clear that this is part of the Government's plan to get us into the Common Market without even trying to negotiate any reasonable terms, and that it is doing damage to Commonwealth trade in the meantime?
§ Mr. PriorNo. The hon. Lady is wrong on both counts. First, it will have a very minor effect on the cost of living. The latest estimates I have given are one-half of 1 per cent. on the cost of food index, spead over the 12 months from the start of the implementation of the interim levy schemes. Secondly, it is part of our policy to change to a levy system over the next three or four years regardless of Common Market considerations.