HC Deb 20 January 1977 vol 924 cc625-6
22. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the new EEC Commissioner for Agriculture.

Mr. John Silkin

I have met Mr. Gundelach on a number of occasions in the last few weeks, most recently on 12th January. I expect to be seeing him again next week.

Mr. Spence

Will the Minister say to what extent his desire to have the mcas recalculated is being inhibited by his refusal to look at devaluation of the green pound?

Mr. Silkin

I had better explain this again. The basis of the recalculation of mcas, which is what the hon. Gentleman is referring to, and what I should like to see as much as he would, has nothing to do with the green pound. If one devalues the green pound, one also puts up the costs of feeding stuffs, so there is no benefit. The Commission itself recognised this in November of last year. Of course, if we went to a devaluation of 36 per cent. there would be a difference—everyone knows that—but no one in this House would contemplate that for a moment. The recalculation of mcas in November of last year was done by the Commission. It was all that it had power to do, and it recognised the truth of what I have been saying.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

When my right hon. Friend sees the Commissioner for Agriculture, will he remind him that the late President de Gaulle said that the CAP would be a crippling blow to the British economy? Will my right hon. Friend try to get rid of it as soon as possible so that we have a national system of agriculture?

Mr. Silkin

I shall not only remind him of it. If my hon. Friend likes and if I can get a proper translation, I shall say it in French.