HC Deb 16 March 1978 vol 946 cc619-20
9. Mr. Knox

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the Chairman of the Food and Drink Industries Council.

Mr. Strang

My right hon. Friend the Minister meets the Chairman of the Food and Drink Industries Council fairly frequently. No firm date has been set for their next meeting.

Mr. Knox

When the Minister next mets the Chairman of the Food and Drink Industries Council, will he discuss with him the fact that in the EEC the food manufacturing companies fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Industry? Does he think that that is a good idea? Would it not be better if they fell within the remit of the Commissioner for Agriculture?

Mr. Strang

I think that we can make too much of this matter. The big decisions in the EEC are taken by the Council of Ministers and at the end of the day there has to be a reconciliation of the various national interests.