§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to reduce expenditure under the common agricultural policy; and whether she will publish in the Official Report the gross expenditure on agriculture in the United Kingdom each year since 1970, including the costs of administration, together with the receipts from (i) the disposal of surpluses and (ii) cash payments by the European Economic Community.
§ The Prime MinisterIn 1984 we achieved a very restrictive agricultural prices package and the adoption, by the Council, of conclusions on budgetary discipline which include provisions designed to limit the growth of the Community's 'own resources'. This year we are seeking a similarly restrictive price policy and effective implementation of the budgetary discipline conclusions.
Expenditure on agricultural support in the United Kingdom under national grants and subsidies and since 1972–73 under the CAP—net of proceeds from the sale of intervention stocks—together with receipts from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund is summarised in the White Papers to the annual review of agriculture.
The administration costs of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce and the proceeds from sales of stocks are set out in the annual appropriation accounts for the board's notes. The administration costs of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are also set out in the annual appropriation accounts but those for agricultural administration are not shown separately.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will appoint an expert to prepare a report on the operation of the common agricultural policy in the United Kingdom on the lines of that prepared by Professor Silberston on textiles for the Department of Trade and Industry.
§ The Prime MinisterWe have no plans to do so.