§ Mr. Strawasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reforms he proposes to seek to the common agricultural policy of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans) today.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will explain his estimate of 17 November that the cost of the common agricultural policy is three and a half pence in the pound, specifying w tether he refers to the British pound, and the costs that are included in the three and a half pence.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe provision in the 1980 Community Budget for expenditure on the common agricultural policy is about 3½ per cent. of estimated total Community expenditure on food in 1980.
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§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will seek to withdraw the United Kingdom unilaterally from the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithNo.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the additional guarantees of security of the survey of foodstuffs to the United Kingdom provided by the common agricultural policy over and above agreements with traditional suppliers that might reasonably be expected to be made by the United Kingdom, given unrestricted access to world markets.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithA major additional guarantee is that of permanence. The common agricultural policy ensures that, wherever necessary, consumers within the Community have first call on its production.