HC Deb 08 June 1971 vol 818 cc852-3
22. Mr. Sillars

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a Ministerial broadcast on the day on which the Government's import food levy system is introduced.

Mr. Prior

No, Sir.

Mr. Sillars

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it would make a very important contribution to public knowledge, and, therefore, to the debate about entry to the Common Market, if he reconsidered that answer and made a televised admission to the whole nation that entry to the Common Market means a permanent shift from a cheap food policy, which we have traditionally pursued, to a dear food policy?

Mr. Prior

It would certainly be part of our policy within the Common Market to keep food prices as reasonable as we can.

Mr. Tapsell

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that farmers and farm workers in my constituency look forward with keen anticipation to the implementation of the import levy system?

Mr. Prior

I feel that a better award for all connected with the farming industry, whether farmers or farm workers, is long overdue and will be awarded by farmers and farm workers themselves through much higher output, to the great benefit of the nation as a whole.

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