§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions the Common Market can impose, or has imposed, on him regarding increased subsidies to dairy farmers.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartWe agreed arrangements earlier this year with our partners in the Community for increasing the guaranteed price of milk produced in the United Kingdom. These were set out in Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No. 749/73 of the Council dated 19th March 1973. The payment of direct aids to production is governed by the provisions of Articles 92 to 94 of the Treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the increase in the price of dairy animal compound feeding stuffs since March, he will grant an immediate increase in milk subsidies to dairy farmers.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 16th October in answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris).