THE DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS SYSTEM

HL Deb 14 April 1980 vol 408 c112WA

Baroness ELLES

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the estimated annual cost at present prices (March 1980) of resuming the deficiency payments system for agricultural products.

The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES and FOOD (Earl Ferrers)

I regret that I cannot offer a satisfactory estimate of the cost of resuming deficiency payments, since it would depend on the assumptions which would have to be made about the levels at which the guarantees would be set, the precise features of the guarantee, the import and export arrangements which would apply, the levels of market price which would prevail in the different trading circumstances which would result, and whether such a scheme was to be operated and financed on a Community or on a national basis.

House adjourned at twenty-three minutes before eight o'clock.