§ 16. Dame Elaine Kellett-BowmanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last had a meeting with the leaders of the farming unions; and what matters were discussed.
§ Mr. MacGregorI meet the leaders of the farming unions frequently to discuss agricultural matters.
§ Dame Elaine Kellett-BowmanDoes my right hon. Friend accept that farmers are very grateful for the stand that he takes in representing their interests? Will he please do all that he can to ensure early devaluation of the green pound, so that our farmers are paid as much as German farmers are for indentical produce?
§ Mr. MacGregorIn our current discussions in the Council on price fixing I have taken the view that we should take a further step towards devaluation of the green pound. I hope to say more about that in the debate this evening.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the Minister aware that one of the complaints that he will receive from British farming unions —and if he met the agricultural workers union he would hear the same—is that on the continent the £2 billion fraud under the common agricultural policy during the past two years has meant that British farmers have not been able to compete effectively? Can he throw any light on the fiddle set-aside scheme, which has not yet been introduced, but which, according to sources within the Community, involves a figure approaching 50 per cent.?
§ Mr. MacGregorI find it difficult to understand how there can be a fiddle under a scheme that has not been introduced.