Common Agricultural Policy

HC Deb 20 April 1978 vol 948 cc299-300W

16. Mr. Gould

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals for the fundamental reform of the common agricultural policy he is currently pursuing with his European partners.

Mr. John Silkin

I explained my current objectives in detail to the House in my speech on 21st March.—[Vol. 946, c. 1345–53.]

37. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made towards getting changes in the common agricultural policy.

Mr. John Silkin

I refer the hon. Member to my speech to the House on 21st March and to those of my hon. Friend on that day and on 7th April.—[Vol. 946, c. 1345–53; Vol. 946, c. 144355; Vol. 947, c. 927–33.]

55. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now estimate the overall cost of the common agricultural policy and the likely cost of the alternative deficiency payments system.

Mr. John Silkin

As I made clear to the House on 21st March, I do not disent from the estimate recently made in the Cambridge Economic Policy Group Review that the direct cost of the CAP to the United Kingdom balance of payments is currently of the order of £1,000 million a year. As for alternative support systems, various arrangements could be be envisaged which would greatly affect cost estimates.—[Vol. 946, c. 1346–53.]