§ Mr. du Cannasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that association under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome will, until harmonisation of taxation has been achieved among member countries of the European Economic Community, cause discrimination in Metropolitan France against rum produced by former British territories in the West Indies compared with rum produced by French West Indian territories; and what action he proposes under the terms of the Yaoundé 63W Agreement or otherwise to protect the interests of producers in those territories.
§ Mr. PeartI am aware of the present French taxes on rum and of the effect which their retention would have in the event of this country joining the European Economic Community and of the Commonwealth rum-producing countries and territories securing association with the enlarged Community. In any discussion of these matters, the Government would have the interests of Commonwealth rum producers very much in mind.