HC Deb 01 March 1984 vol 55 c385
18. Mr. Andrew Stewart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to get agreement on new European Economic Community support prices for the 1984–85 marketing year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

I hope that agreement will be reached soon.

Mr. Stewart

When agreement is reached, will my right hon. Friend ensure that, unlike last year, commodity prices — especially for beef — are paid from the beginning of the market year rather than when the announcement is made?

Mr. Jopling

We are doing our utmost to achieve settlement of the 1984 price changes. We are working very hard on it. There are further meetings of the Agriculture Council next week and the following week. We are going as fast as we possibly can.