§ Lord O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the controls over the French sheep market exercised by the French 1401WA Government are in conformity with the Treaty of Rome; what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the French Government and the Commission of the EEC; and whether they will make a Statement.
§ Lord STRABOLGIIn the opinion of Her Majesty's Government the controls exercised by the French Government over imports of sheepmeat from the United Kingdom have not been exercised in conformity with the provisions of the Treaty of Rome since the lifting of controls on imports to France of carcase lamb from the Republic of Ireland on 1st January 1978. Protests were made to the French Government about the heightened discrimination against the United Kingdom and the European Commission was asked to take action under Article 169 of the Treaty. The Commission has taken such action before the European Court, but their challenge is to the legality of the whole French national market organisation for sheepmeat. The case, which has not yet been heard, is likely to have implications for negotiations on the new common market organisation for mutton and lamb.