HL Deb 12 December 1979 vol 403 cc1140-1

2.42 p.m.

Lord GISBOROUGH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give an assurance that in the negotiations about a regulation for potatoes in the EEC they would refuse to accept any proposals that did not provide benefits to the British producer and consumer equivalent to those they enjoy at present.

The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and FOOD (Earl Ferrers)

My Lords, the Government believe that any EEC potato regime must include adequate provision for supporting our maincrop potato market in times of heavy surplus so as to safeguard the position of producers and consumers.

Lord GISBOROUGH

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Does he agree that the EEC member countries must retain their option to adapt their marketing systems to the very individual conditions and aims of their individual potato production?

Earl FERRERS

My Lords, we accept that it is quite possible that there eventually will be an EEC regime, although not necessarily in a form exactly like other commodity regimes, and we would certainly wish to make sure that any potato regime provides the right conditions for the potato industry in this country.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, can my noble friend say that there is no possible danger, as there once was, that the Common Market is to get rid of the King Edward?

Earl FERRERS

My Lords, I always am very loathe ever to suggest that there are no possible conceivable circumstances under which anything may happen.

The Earl of CORK and ORRERY

My Lords, is my noble friend prepared to comment on the Government's view on the joint National Farmers' Union-Potato Marketing Board potato working party proposals and to say whether they may find a deal with the EEC broadly in line with them?

Earl FERRERS

My Lords, the Government are continuing discussions with the producer interests, on the basis of the NFU-Potato Marketing Board proposals, about the possible form of a future stabilisation scheme. We have also argued strongly in Brussels for inclusion in an EEC regime of provisions enabling producer organisations to implement stabilisation schemes of this kind. These negotiations are continuing, and I am hopeful that a satisfactory solution will eventually be found.