§ 2. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what facilities are available for the storing of beef which may be withdrawn under the proposed intervention scheme.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Fred Peart)First, I congratulate the right hon. Member for Cambridgeshire (Mr. Pym) on his appointment and on his restoration to good health, as I see.
Whenever the Intervention Board intervenes on beef it makes use of commercial cold storage facilities.
§ Mr. ShepherdDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the proposed 648 intervention-only scheme may result in production for storage only? Will the right hon. Gentleman maintain his position vis-à-vis the beef premium scheme?
§ Mr. PeartI am aware of the hon. Gentleman's first point and I am glad of his support in achieving the retention of our variable premium system by means of the negotiations in Europe.
§ Mr. BuchanDoes my right hon. Friend agree that much more important than looking for facilities for intervention is to try to move to a situation in which we do not use the misguided policy of intervention? Secondly, will he note that I back him in his efforts to provide a testimonial to our traditional forms of beef in this new form of beef premium? More than 104 signatures have been applied to the motion backing my right hon. Friend in this attempt.
§ Mr. PeartI have noted the support that my hon. Friend has given me. I believe that that support is reflected in all parts of the House.
§ Mr. Geraint HowellsIs the Minister in a position to give an assurance to beef producers that the present beef régime will be allowed to operate here in the next five or 10 years?
§ Mr. PeartI have said publicly in Brussels what is our negotiating position. I am glad to have the Liberal Party's support.