HC Deb 01 November 1979 vol 972 cc1442-3
23. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in reducing Great Britain's contribution to the common agricultural policy element of the EEC budget.

Mr. Peter Walker

I estimate that the decisions taken by the Agriculture Council in June reduced our net contribution to the budget by about £30 million in the farm year 1979–80, compared with what it would otherwise have been.

Mrs. Short

The right hon. Gentleman's answer gives a certain amount of satisfaction, but is he aware that he really is expected to do very much better for Britain as a whole and for the housewife in particular?

Mr. Walker

I agree. We have only just started to do somewhat better than the last Government. We hope to do much better.