§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is prepared to suggest to the Council of Ministers that the energy aid proposal in the Lardinois package of special measures for the glasshouse sector of horticulture be paid from FEOGA funds rather than at the discretion of Governments; and whether, in the event of this being left to the discretion of Governments, Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to comply with the Commission's authority to the full extent of 33⅓ per cent. of the increase in fuel costs since September 1973.
§ Mr. StrangThe payment from national funds of temporary fuel oil subsidies within specified limits and on certain conditions has been authorised by the Commission. The approval of the Council of Ministers is not required to confirm this authorisation. I am not prepared to suggest to the Council that it should request the Commission to submit proposals for a mandatory scheme of energy aid financed by FEOGA. It is not at present proposed to reintroduce the subsidy paid to British growers in 1974.