§ 73 and 74. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) which are the home-produced agricultural commodities which British farmers will export increasingly to the Continent in the event of the United Kingdom's entry into the Common Market, subject to the necessary minimum safeguards for agriculture;
(2) what estimate he has made of the agricultural products from Europe which will be increasingly sold in British shops, in the event of the entry of the United Kingdom into the Common Market, subject to the necessary minimum safeguards for agriculture.
§ Mr. SoamesIf we join the Common Market the removal of barriers and restrictions on trade in agricultural products between member States would provide greater opportunities for trade in these commodities between the United Kingdom and the Continent. The 'pattern of our trade in particular commodities with the Six would only take shape gradually over a period of years as the common policy is developed and introduced. As far as exports from United Kingdom are concerned there are likely to be increased opportunities for finding markets on the continent for high quality and specialised products. Membership of the Common Market would not however alter the fact that we should remain 'predominantly an importer of foodstuffs.