Mr. J. T. Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered the economic consequences of a rise of 34 per cent. in the home domestic price of barley which his Department considers probable in the event of Great Britain joining the Common Market; 40W and what would be the estimated increase required in the retail price of a pint of beer to cover such increase in the price of barley.
§ Mr. PeartAssuming no change in the Community's present arrangements, barley prices in the U.K. would increase substantially, but it is not possible to give a precise estimate. The profitability of barley production would greatly increase and so would the cost of feeding-stuffs. This would lead to lower profitability for poultry, pig and dairy farming and increase the cost of other products made from barley. It is not possible to estimate precisely the increase required in the retail price of beer to cover increases in barley prices.