§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will be prepared to contribute to the costs of an International Tea Agreement.
§ Mr. BishopIf there is an international tea agreement to which the United Kingdom is a signatory, the United Kingdom will meet its share of the costs.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will support restrictions on tea exports, or a buffer tea stock to maintain or increase tea prices for the benefit of producer countries.
§ Mr. BishopThese matters can only be considered in the context of an agreement. Prices should be such as to yield a reasonable return to efficient producers, while at the same time being fair to consumers.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the policy and aims of Her Majesty's Government at the pre-negotiating conference for an International Tea Agreement to be held in London in February.
§ Mr. BishopI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 16th November 1976.—[Vol. 919, c.515–6.]
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is prepared to propose a significant price increase to tea producers as part of an International Tea Agreement in order to encourage the participation of East African tea producers.
§ Mr. BishopPrice is only one of the factors that will need to be examined in negotiations for an international tea agreement. The Government's aim will be 609W to ensure stability for the tea industry and reasonable prices for producers and consumers.